2023 TSUSA Ambassadors

This consumer campaign was viewed 8 million times in Australian/New Zealand, representing 26% of the combined population. Adventure World was our call to action and prize partner for this 3-month campaign.

Maggi and Cath are both professionally and personally invested in the region, using their personal time in destinations to maximise their knowledge and speak with authority about the uniqueness and warmth that their clients will experience when they visit.

Top overseas markets include the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Scandinavia. The cooperative marketing campaigns with ATI Drive America continue to drive incremental room nights and revenue to the South.  We appreciate the primary focus ATI places on the South and look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship for many years.

Some of them, especially Nathalie & Martin, have a special bond with the Southern States and share their passion with the team on a daily basis. Their DNA is to enhance trip suggestions by adding authentic accommodation options and must-do activities to make clients’ trip to the South a special and unforgettable experience. Quotes and itinerary suggestions can be created by preferred distributing partners with a technology dedicated to inspirational lodging, activities and off the beaten path experience options.

The Southern states are amongst their top performing regions, with a loyal clientele looking for inspiring itineraries that continually provide immersive destination experiences beyond just the gateway cities.

Diversa Turismo has just reached its 5th year in May 2023, has already been awarded the Circle of Honors Award in 2022 and 2023, and has also been recognized by Panrotas as the third most relevant tour operator in Brazil. All these recognitions show us that we are absolutely on the right way!

All efforts that Diversa puts together to promote TSUSA, from new product creation to marketing opportunities, training, and a constant effort to promote Cultural, Historical, Gastronomic, and Musical experiences to be in line with their diverse DNA.

They are recognized as the trusted TravelTech partner of key players across the industry, including Travel South USA. Our cooperative marketing campaign delivered over 1 Million room nights across the South in 2023 and is poised for even more sales in 2024. We appreciate the dedicated Destination Marketing team – Joe, Aaron, Balkiz, and the Product Development team who work collaboratively to deliver top results for our region. Thank you Hotelbeds – 4^th time winner of Travel South USA’s Ambassador Award.

This translates into carefully worked out routes (slow travel) with a universal experience (deep dive) where both the highlights and the hidden gems are added in the itinerary (off the beaten path).

“The south of the USA is one of my favorite destinations. The mix of beautiful nature, captivating history, swinging music, delicious food and drinks and the original accommodation options make this region truly unique. During your (long) stay, the hospitality of the locals and their personal stories really touch your heart and nourish your soul.”

Ilaria, already a great expert of the history, culture and offer of the South, has always been a great ambassador and recently joined Konrad to develop even more Southern itineraries, both for self-drive and escorted tours.

During the last months of cooperation, she promoted specific tours focused on music, history, gastronomy and so much more and included Travel South in various activities giving us opportunities to showcase the Travel South destinations offer to many agents and travel consultants.

The USA is the first destination in sales and staff with 35 dedicated specialists and US lovers. We do not sell a trip but a customized experience that helps clients make a dream come true. MARCO VASCO always includes a minimum of 4 or 5 must-do activities in their itineraries to the South, with off the beaten track suggestions and a large range of nicely located accommodations, from 3, 4 and 5-star Boutique-Hotels to glamping, yurts, Tree Houses and more. Having a lot of repeaters, the Travel South USA destinations are promoted and sold as “many countries in one”, offering a choice of experiences like no other.

They developed dedicated itineraries and promoted them through their B2B and B2C channels, including the organization of 3 events around Italy where travel agents were trained about the destinations and had the opportunity to listen to firsthand stories and experiences lived in the nature, narrated by the marvelous journalist and photographer Lucio Rossi.

The management understands the importance of destination knowledge when selling and regularly opens their doors to allow training to their dedicated sales teams. NATS provides access to their clients, the in-house sales and product team and their vast network of travel agents throughout the UK.

Andrew Bird, Director/Owner has been one of the most consistent attendees and advocate of Travel South, acknowledging the huge value in spending dedicated time with those that live in the region whilst attending the show and associated fams. Andrew continues to recognise the huge value of Travel South International, its part in increasing his business by providing the greater level of specialist knowledge gained by attending.

Tomás and his team offer negotiated FIT contracts based on our close relationship and volume business with suppliers, bi-lingual staff, and expertise in overseas markets, assuring international guests have the opportunity to experience the Southern hospitality of our destination. Rey Royal truly sells beyond the gateway, and we thank them for their partnership—congratulations to Rey Royal Tours, 2nd-time recipient of the Travel South Ambassador Award.

Moreover, their innovative marketing strategies and strong presence at important consumer shows in the German-speaking markets make them an ideal partner for the South to create unique campaigns that showcase the best of each location. We thank Ruck Zuck Urlaub for their consistent presence at the Travel South Showcase since 2016 which demonstrates their commitment to promoting the Travel South states as a premier travel destination.

This combined effort has resulted in an enriched product portfolio, now encompassing destinations in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and West Virginia. Their offering has expanded to encompass a total of 19 brochure pages and 22 destination pages on their website. Swanson’s provides a variety of travel options, including self-drive, RV adventures, motorcycle excursions, train journeys, and ranch stays. Additionally, they offer escorted tours with knowledgeable guides who all speak Swedish. Swanson’s prides themselves on being genuine USA specialists, particularly in the Southern States, and are passionate enthusiasts of all the unique experiences this region has to offer.

What sets them apart is their deep knowledge of the area, ensuring travelers receive first-hand inspiration for unforgettable experiences.  Congratulations, T.R.U.E America, on this well-deserved recognition. Your journey has just begun, and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead.

Travel agents can make their own quotes through our travel agent booking tool EAZI, where they can find live availability for flights, rental cars, accommodations, and excursions. We specialize in tailormade itineraries. We do organize some group travel, but only on request for individual groups. As UStravel.nl, we also specialize in accessible travel for individuals with mobility issues.

One of the reasons we suggest US Travel is that they are always busy with innovation. They have a very good booking system, they have very experienced personnel. José is the product manager and owner of the company together with Wolfgang Hendrix.

They also are creative in their promotion, and they have a very large group of repeating customers.

USA Rejser offers all types of travel to the US, from beaches to mountains and everything in between, whether by car, motorcycle, motorhome or rail. USA Rejser has really embraced Travel South since the inception of the Nordic GPP and is constantly developing new southern product and enhancing existing tours. There are dedicated pages that cover coastal Georgia and the Carolinas, the music icons of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans as well as buzzing Atlanta and Charlotte. Their 22-day ‘Country Music, History and Plantations’ tour runs from New Orleans and takes in Memphis, Nashville, Gt Smoky Mtns National Park, the Appalachians, Georgia and Carolina Coast and Atlanta. Christian Walker Willumsen is attending his second Travel South Showcase and is a great example of operators using post show fams to develop product.

This year their team challenged themselves to custom build a partnership program for Travel South: The Outdoor supplement which included 7 partners and partnership for the Toronto component of our mission in Canada. A first for Baxter as they continue to improve their position as leaders in the travel trade network in Canada.

Delta Air Lines has been a proud sponsor and partner with Travel South USA since we launched our International Showcase in 2016, supporting our efforts in Australia, Brazil, and Europe through consumer campaigns and trade activities. We are offering our sincere thanks and recognizing the entire Delta Sales Team for their ongoing partnership and contributions.

We have such a great partner with the team who recently organized our summer 2023 mission for 30+ partners, visiting three cities across Australia, engaging with hundreds of agents, and executing a co-op campaign with Travelex with millions of impressions and full images in airports in Australia and New Zealand.  Thank you Gate 7 – we love you!

Thanks to Jill, here is why Tennessee and the South are must-visits and should be on everyone’s radar. Thank you for your continued efforts in curating the right journalists and telling the right stories that inspire consumers to come to the South. Congratulations to Jill Kilgore!

Brandon has been committed throughout the years to bringing more visitors to the South as part of both Discover Atlanta and Rhythms of the South.

Thanks to Brandon for not only being an engaging partner with Travel South USA but also with the TSUSA region. Congratulations to Brandon Barnes!

It is not easy when fifteen senior tourism executives from state tourism offices and city DMOs come to the table to negotiate. Still, with Mark’s guidance, we came away with a plan that has stood the test of time – a worldwide pandemic. After nearly four decades in the industry, Mark is retiring to his lake house to watch his beloved University of Kentucky sports teams.

We will return to Atlanta next year for the 3rd time in 2024 in the brand-new Signa Hotel, which will open in January 2024. It is a Hilton brand, the first of its kind and will showcase the city’s new tourist and sports experiences.

Mark will always have a special spot at our family table and we would like to award you this trophy, Travel South Ambassador Emeritus. Thank you, Mark; Travel South International Showcase would have been wishful thinking without you. On behalf of the entire tourism industry, thank you for all you have done and we wish you the very best.