The U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council (USCHT) announces that Destination Bloomington (Bloomington CVB), Bloomington, Minnesota; St. Johns County, Florida Tourist Development Council and Cultural Council, St. Augustine, Florida; Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Macon, Georgia; The State of Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, Montpelier, Vermont and Loveland Visitors Services, Loveland, Colorado have joined as partners of the organization.

In announcing these new partnership, Sheila Armstrong, Executive Director of the USCHT Marketing Council said, “These visitor destinations each address the cultural and heritage interests of visitors in their own unique, educational and entertaining ways. We are looking forward to working with each of them in packaging and promoting their cultural and heritage assets, adding value to the visitor’s experiences.

Destination Bloomington

Jan Kroells, Vice President of Marketing for Destination Bloomington said, “Becoming a partner with the USCHT Marketing Council brings added value to our members in our marketing strategy to attract more visitors to our area and to give our visitors more reasons to stay longer.  This partnership will showcase the culture and heritage that is unique in our communities.  It will also expand our reach to additional markets and reinforce our position as a destination not only offering one of the world’s greatest shopping experiences but also as a destination offering rich cultural experiences.”

The arts and culture in Bloomington along with the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul is a nationally recognized cultural center with a strong arts community in everything from music and literature to dance and visual arts.  There are several renowned museums, art galleries and theatres including the Great American History Theatre, Guthrie Theatre and the Hopkins Center for the arts.

St. Johns County, Florida Tourist Development Council

Glenn Hastings, Executive Director of the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council said, “Our research tells us that the cultural and heritage traveler is the most lucrative travel segment.  They travel more frequently, stay longer and spend more.  We want to attract more of these kinds of visitors to St. Augustine and are looking to the US Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council to support this initiative.”                                   

“This partnership brings added value to our members. Our marketing strategy to attract visitors to our area is to expand on the cultural and heritage experiences of St. Augustine’s unique heritage and style.  This partnership will help us grow our current markets and reach new ones,  reinforcing our position as a destination filled with memorable experiences to discover.,” said Andrew Witt, newly appointed Executive Director of the St. Johns Cultural Council.

Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau      

“Our partnership with the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council brings additional opportunities for us to market the cultural and heritage richness of our area to visitors.  This partnership adds a new platform for generating awareness of the breadth and depth of our cultural and heritage offerings to attract even more visitors,” said Stephanie Robinson, Director of Marketing for the Macon-Bibb Convention & Visitors Bureau.                                                             

The Macon-Bibb CVB promotes a wealth of cultural experiences including the Native American Heritage, the Antebellum Culture, the Civil War History, the African American Heritage and an extremely rich Music Heritage, having been the home of Little Richard, Otis Reading and the Allman Brothers Band.  The CVB also promotes Macon’s Annual International Cherry Blossom Festival.  This city-wide festival fills 10 days with events, concerts, exhibits, arts and crafts, hot air balloons and more against a backdrop of more than 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees; the most in the world! 

The State of Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing

“We are looking forward to partnering with the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council,” said Megan Smith, Vermont Commissioner of Tourism & Marketing.  “This will expand upon our platform for generating awareness of our cultural and heritage attractions.  We are looking to the USCHT to work with us in extending visits and driving new visitor traffic to Vermont.  Research confirms that cultural and heritage visitors stay longer and spend more.  By offering unique cultural experiences with value-added benefits we encourage our visitors to do both.”

The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing’s mission is support the State’s economic vitality by promoting Vermont through a comprehensive marketing plan that integrates online, television, radio, newspaper and magazine print with VermontVacation.com, the state’s most comprehensive tourism database.

An integral part of this mission includes highlighting Vermont’s rich cultural heritage. Beginning with the 12,000 year history of the Western Abenaki, Vermont then saw the arrival of the French in 1609 and waves of 18th and 19th century European immigrants. Vermont welcomes visitors to experience traditions tied to the land, hard work and independent spirit.  It’s a state of constantly evolving traditions, with exciting new development in agriculture and creative pursuits.

Loveland Visitor Services

“Partnering with the U.S.Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council as we begin to develop our cultural and heritage tourism strategy will enable us to be more strategic in laying the foundation of our tourism marketing direction. By working with the USCHT Marketing Council, we can very quickly begin to have a presence in the cultural and heritage tourism industry,” says Cindy Mackin, Visitors Services Coordinator of the City of Loveland Economic Development Department. 

With the Rocky Mountains as a majestic backdrop, Loveland, Colorado is a community where art prevails and can be enjoyed while shopping and dining or strolling along Lake Loveland’s scenic shoreline.  Named as one of the “100 Best Art Towns in America”, Loveland is a world renowned Art Mecca where many sculptors and artists choose to work and live.  Loveland is also known for sharing its romantic name with the world.  Since 1947, millions of valentines have been stamped with Cupid’s message and re-mailed from Loveland, Colorado.  Founded in 1877, Loveland’s role in the railroad industry and agriculture are the backbone of its heritage.