Wow, I'm not really sure how significant is to be at the top of the bus association's list of tourist destinations, but it sure souns nice! I have no doubt that the Oklahoma Centennial events will certainly be some of the most significant and spectacular things going on next year. Hopefully they will be well-supported by Oklahomans and tourists alike, and this acknowledgement certainly can't hurt that.
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Bus association makes state's centennial its No. 1 stop
By Jennifer Mock
The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's yearlong centennial celebration was named the top 2007 event in the country by the American Bus Association Wednesday.
Each year, the association publishes the "Top 100 Events in North America," and the centennial was selected out of hundreds of entries as the best during the coming year.
Tourism officials say they expect the designation to attract more people to the state as it celebrates 100 years of statehood.
The association, which includes more than 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies as members, said past winners have seen increased tourism from groups that otherwise would have not known about an event like the centennial.
Pete Pantuso, association president, said about 700 million people travel by bus each year, and now Oklahoma's Centennial will be at the top of the list when travel agents and bus companies start suggesting vacation destinations.
Pantuso cited the more than 400 events planned during 14 months of the centennial celebration as a package event that the association could not overlook as the best in the country next year.
The Tourism Department will make bus signs available for all Oklahoma buses advertising the Centennial and its top ranking, and will use the designation in all of its travel literature, said department spokeswoman Sandy Pantlik. She called the association's 100 best annual events guide a "bible for travel planning in the tourism industry."
"This is a tremendous honor and compliment to the state of Oklahoma and its people," said Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, who also predicted the ranking will lead to an increase in Oklahoma tourism from all over the country and the world.
Fallin, who is chairman of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission, said the state sees $4.5 billion in revenue from the tourism industry, which employs more than 70,000 Oklahomans. A recent study by George Washington University shows that one overnight visit by a bus tour group can leave as much as $13,000 in the local economy.
"This will help make our Centennial more memorable and impactful," Fallin said. "The eyes of the nation and the world will be upon us, and we are off to a great start."
The Oklahoma Centennial beat out America's 400th anniversary celebration honoring the founding of Jamestown, Va., in 1607, and other events including state fairs, jazz festivals and rodeos.
The bus association chooses 100 top events in the United States and Canada each year, but only ranks one event as the best, followed by a monthly listing of the remaining attractions.
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Bus association makes state's centennial its No. 1 stop
By Jennifer Mock
The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's yearlong centennial celebration was named the top 2007 event in the country by the American Bus Association Wednesday.
Each year, the association publishes the "Top 100 Events in North America," and the centennial was selected out of hundreds of entries as the best during the coming year.
Tourism officials say they expect the designation to attract more people to the state as it celebrates 100 years of statehood.
The association, which includes more than 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies as members, said past winners have seen increased tourism from groups that otherwise would have not known about an event like the centennial.
Pete Pantuso, association president, said about 700 million people travel by bus each year, and now Oklahoma's Centennial will be at the top of the list when travel agents and bus companies start suggesting vacation destinations.
Pantuso cited the more than 400 events planned during 14 months of the centennial celebration as a package event that the association could not overlook as the best in the country next year.
The Tourism Department will make bus signs available for all Oklahoma buses advertising the Centennial and its top ranking, and will use the designation in all of its travel literature, said department spokeswoman Sandy Pantlik. She called the association's 100 best annual events guide a "bible for travel planning in the tourism industry."
"This is a tremendous honor and compliment to the state of Oklahoma and its people," said Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, who also predicted the ranking will lead to an increase in Oklahoma tourism from all over the country and the world.
Fallin, who is chairman of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission, said the state sees $4.5 billion in revenue from the tourism industry, which employs more than 70,000 Oklahomans. A recent study by George Washington University shows that one overnight visit by a bus tour group can leave as much as $13,000 in the local economy.
"This will help make our Centennial more memorable and impactful," Fallin said. "The eyes of the nation and the world will be upon us, and we are off to a great start."
The Oklahoma Centennial beat out America's 400th anniversary celebration honoring the founding of Jamestown, Va., in 1607, and other events including state fairs, jazz festivals and rodeos.
The bus association chooses 100 top events in the United States and Canada each year, but only ranks one event as the best, followed by a monthly listing of the remaining attractions.