The Miami International Pow Wow (May 16-20) is expected to raise $4 billion in bookings for US tourist destinations from buyers worldwide. And the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC), accompanied by 20 California travel industry partners, is all set to rake in a big slice of all that dough at the Pow Wow.

Miami International Pow Wow

This stunning $4 billion is generated in a few days of intensive pre-scheduled, computer-generated business appointments, with more than 1,000 U. S. travel organizations from every region of the USA, and representing all industry category components, and close to 1,500 international and domestic buyers from more than 70 countries.

In a press statement, Caroline Beteta, CTTC president and CEO and chair of the U.S. Travel Association, said that “Pow Wow is the largest travel marketplace for international buyers of U.S. destination products, so this is an important marketing opportunity for us.”

International tourism is big business for California, contributing about $18.3 billion to the state economy in 2008. Since over 80% of California’s visitors are residents, international visitors pose a great growth market. To increase the Golden State’s market share of global visitors, CTTC expanded its efforts last year by committing more than $20 million to international marketing, including new broadcast advertising outreach and more in-market sales and public relations offices – a 250% increase from 2006.    

“Because our funding is more stable than many of our U.S. competitors, we’re able to maintain our recently expanded international marketing efforts while others are drastically decreasing overseas efforts,” Beteta added. “We see this as an opportunity to expand our share of voice in the global marketplace, and we believe investing more now will pay long-term dividends for California’s travel industry.”

Meanwhile, Miami is all primed and ready to milk the convention-goers. The Greater Miami CVB hosted a rally on monday to spread the word about Pow Wow, to make sure residents knew how important it was. And being the convention host has it’s advantages, and Miami is looking to pull in over $400 million in vacation bookings at Pow Wow.

In addition to the commerce, there’s also scope for both buyers and sellers to garner some free media attention, and spotlight their own destinations, products & services. Last year, over 450 travel journalists from over 40 countries participated in International Pow Wow 2008 in Las Vegas.

Related Links:-
Miami International Pow Wow – www.tia.org/powwow/
California Travel and Tourism Commission – www.visitcalifornia.com/
Greater Miami CVB – www.miamiandbeaches.com/