State tourism officials and other Kansas travel enthusiasts (a.k.a “roadies”) will travel the state this summer in a “driving billboard” to promote Kansas tourism as part of the recently announced Faces and Places Tour. The tour’s goal is to foster tourism in Kansas through social media, promote Kansas as a desirable destination and increase tourism expenditures. The announcement was made in conjunction with National Travel and Tourism Week.
“Tourism is a vital part of the Kansas economy and one of the state’s top priorities to grow and expand,” said Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, M.D. “Tourism is the third largest industry in Kansas, supporting a 125,000-strong workforce. We will work very hard in the future to create more tourism opportunities to showcase our great state and what it has to offer.”
The roadies will visit 34 festivals, events and other locations in an elaborately decorated Chevy Suburban and share their adventures using Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Through a unique corporate partnership, Ed Bozarth Chevrolet #1 Buick-GMC is sponsoring the use of the Chevy Suburban for the Faces and Places Tour.
“As the Faces and Places van travels the state, it will bring attention to the wonderful attractions we have in Kansas,” said Commerce Secretary Pat George. “Expanding tourism will be a key component to moving the state forward, growing the Kansas economy and creating jobs.”
National Travel and Tourism Week was started in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan as a way to champion the power of travel. Travel and tourism is one of America’s largest industries. In Kansas, tourism had a $5.46 million impact on the state’s 2009 economy, according to the most recent economic impact study conducted by the IHS Global Insight Travel and Tourism Group.
The Kansas Travel and Tourism Division is charged with encouraging the traveling public to visit and travel within Kansas by promoting recreational, historic, and natural advantages of the state and its facilities. The Division focuses on measurable goals in all of its marketing and promotional efforts, which includes increasing domestic and international inquiries through advertising and public relations efforts and converting those inquiries into visits to Kansas, increasing group tour visits, and generating positive public perceptions about the state as a travel destination. For more information, visit TravelKS.com
Kansas Travel and Tourism Division’s 2011 Faces and Places Tour Schedule
May 27: Rest Area—TBD
June 3-4: Lawrence—Lawrence Farmer’s Market, www.lawrencefarmersmarket.com; Baldwin—Midland Railway Day Out with Thomas, www.midland-ry.org; Baldwin—John Brown’s Battle of Black Jack, www.blackjackbattlefield.org
June 9-11: Wichita—Riverfest, www.wichitariverfest.com; Salina—Smoky Hill River Festival, www.riverfestival.com/salina
June 18-19- Lindsburg—Midsummer’s Festival, www.midsummersfestival.org; Salina—Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, www.rollinghillswildlife.com; Marquette—Kansas Motorcycle Museum, http://ksmotorcyclemuseum.org; Cottonwood Falls—Emma Chase Café, www.emmachasecafe.com
June 25-26- Great Bend—Cheyenne Bottoms, www.visitgreatbend.com/Cheyenne_Bottoms.asp; Fort Larned—National Historic Site, www.kansastravel.org/fortlarned; Montezuma—Stauth Memorial Museum, www.stauthmemorialmuseum.org; Meade—Dalton Days Wild West Fest, www.oldmeadecounty.com/dalton_days.htm; Greensburg—The Big Well, www.greensburgks.org
July 2011- Kansas City—T-Bones Baseball Game, www.tbonesbaseball.com/
July 1: Rest Area—TBD
July 15-17: Goodland—TIC; Colby—Pickin’ on the Plains, www.colbybluegrass.org; Hays—Blues, BBQ & Bargains, www.chestnutstreetdistrict.com/view.php?id=13
July 29-30- Wilson—Czech Festival, www.wilsonks.com; Dodge City—Dodge City Days, www.dodgecitydays.com.
August 2011- Topeka—Heartland Park Topeka, www.hpt.com/
Aug. 4-6-  Phillipsburg – Kansas Biggest Rodeo, www.kansasbiggestrodeo.com; Belleville – Belleville Midget Nationals, www.highbanks.org; Abilene—Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, www.eisenhower.archives.gov; El Dorado—Frontier Western Celebration, www.frontierwesterncelebration.com/#!
Aug. 13- Garnett—Kansas INT Waterski, Wakeboard Championships, www.intleague.com
Sept. 16-18- Hiawatha—U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt, www.ushwy36.com/treasure.htm; Seneca—U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt; Marysville—U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt
Sept. 23-25- McPherson—Scottish Festival & Highland Games, www.macfestival.org/; Medicine Lodge—Indian Peace Treaty, www.peacetreaty.org/
October 2011- Atchison—Haunted Atchison Trolley Tour, www.kansastravel.org/atchisontrolleytour.htm
(All dates and locations subject to change.)