Philadelphia Revamps Group Tour Sales Sheets

The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) recently updated its group tour profile sheets with a new look and feel. The four-color, two-sided, easy-to-read format provides information about a variety of activities for groups.

“In redesigning our sales sheets, we focused on the needs of our tour operator clients, including a cleaner format that encourages their use as a reference tool creating itineraries and developing product,” said Fritz Smith, vice president of tourism, PCVB. “We are especially pleased to have a new voluntourism sheet: we have already had groups include volunteer activities in their itineraries for 2009!”

“Where You’re at Liberty to Volunteer” highlights 16 volunteer opportunities available to groups, such as helping Philabundance Food Bank package meals for local food pantries; maintaining and nurturing the historical 42-acre Victorian garden at the Philadelphia Zoo; and brightening up a neighborhood by helping paint a mural.

“Where You’re at Liberty to Celebrate” focuses on the Philadelphia region’s annual and special events for 2009/2010, including Cézanne and Beyond, Feb. 26–May 17; Philadelphia Flower Show, March 1–8; Galileo, Medici and the Age of Astronomy, April 4–Sept. 7; and George Washington Carver, Nov. 11, 2009–Feb. 28, 2010.

“Where You’re at Liberty to Honor Diversity” features Philadelphia’s African-American sights, attractions, tours, diningand entertainment venues. It also lists culturally diverse annual events such as the Chinese New Year celebration in February; the International Black Convention and the Cherokee Festival in May; ethnic festivals at Penn’s Landing throughout the summer (including the PCVB’s own Multicultural Affairs Congress’ Global Fusion Festival); and multicultural holiday activities.

“Where You’re at Liberty to Stretch Your Imagination” is geared toward the student and youth group market. Information is grouped by “subjects” or categories, such as American History, Architecture, Science and Medicine, Art Appreciation, Horticulture/Marine Biology, Multicultural Studies, English Literature, Electives, and Extracurricular Activities. Each category lists related sites and attractions to help tour operators plan an educational and entertaining travel “curriculum” (for instance, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Rodin Museum and the region’s other art museums are located under “Art Appreciation”).

“Where You’re at Liberty to Take Center Stage” lists descriptions and contact information for a variety of parades in which groups can participate, including the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Sunoco Welcome America! Fourth of July Parade, and the German-American Parade. It also lists 24 performance venues such as Longwood Gardens, The Shops and Liberty Place, and Franklin Mills Mall, with details like indoor and outdoor capacity, on-site piano and sound equipment, and motorcoach parking.

“Where You’re at Liberty to Stay out Late” focuses on nightlife, with an assortment of evening entertainment options, including performing arts and theater, live music, dinner theater, comedy clubs, sports and casinos. And, for a unique historical experience, Once Upon a Nation offers a variety of nighttime options, including the Lights of Liberty Show, Tippler’s Tour and Independence Hall After Hours.

Tour operators can get a copy of the PCVB’s profile sheets by contacting Ryan O’Connor, tourism sales manager at 215-636-3312 ; [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information about Philadelphia for groups, including itineraries, a list of free attractions, hotel packages and experiential tours, visit www.philadelphiausa.travel.

Courtesy of  leisuregrouptravel.com