ATLANTA - The North Georgia Mountains will be in the spotlight in May as Blue Ridge and Ellijay play host to up to 40 travel writers from the U.S. and Canada at this year's Georgia Travel Media Marketplace event.<br />
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The event will be held May 12-14 during which time the travel writers will meet with representatives from around the state during the marketplace to get story ideas about Georgia's tourism destinations, attractions and events.<br />
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"Positive media coverage has a significant impact on a traveler's decision-making process, in turn driving visitors to Georgia," said Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. "Blue Ridge and Ellijay are ideal springtime getaways with plenty of story ideas for travel media."<br />
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Travel media will meet with the host communities as well as Georgia's regional tourism representatives, regional travel associations and Georgia's State Parks, during the Marketplace. The writers will then depart on one of three themed familiarization tours around the state through May 17.<br />
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Travel Media Marketplace is jointly hosted by the Georgia Tourism Division and the host communities to showcase Georgia's tourism assets first hand. Past Marketplace events have been held in Savannah, Athens, Macon, Atlanta, Hiawassee, Augusta, LaGrange and Coweta County.
