SouthCoast USA Requests Funding From BP
Regional Gulf Coast Tourism Group Asks for $55 million to Launch Tourism Marketing Campaign.
June 30, 2010 - SouthCoast USA (SCUSA), a multi-state consortium of destinations along Interstate 10 and the Gulf of Mexico, organized to create, enhance and promote brand identification of the region as one of America's top leisure destinations, today announced it has requested $55 million from BP to launch a multi-faceted tourism marketing campaign to help promote the areas affected by the recent Gulf oil spill. SouthCoast USA submitted the request in a letter to BP officials outlining the details of the request.
SouthCoast USA was represented at the U.S. Travel Association's Gulf Tourism briefing in Washington DC by Cristyne Nicholas of Nicholas & Lence Communications. Ms. Nicholas led the recovery efforts of New York City's tourism industry following September 11th and was hired by SCUSA over three years ago following the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to promote tourism to the Gulf region. Tourism accounts for $94 billion in economic activity in these four states and employs more than one million workers.
"As we saw after the September 11th terrorist attacks, tourism played a powerful role in New York's and the nation's recovery," said Ms. Nicholas. "We are calling on all Americans to do their part in the Gulf Coast recovery by making a difference and making the trip. The local economy depends on it now more than ever - and you'll be glad you came."
U.S. Travel Association President & CEO Roger Dow, who recently met with SouthCoast in Pensacola, said, "We're working closely with Gulf Coast tourism officials because it's not too late to cap the damage to travel and save the one million jobs travel generates in the four Gulf Coast states impacted by the spill."
SouthCoast USA is a non-profit trade association established in 2000. It's comprised of destinations along Interstate 10 and the Gulf of Mexico and was organized to create, enhance and promote brand identification of the region as one of America's top leisure destinations. Partners include: Lake Charles, Lafayette, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houma, and Louisiana's Northshore; Mississippi's West Coast; Mobile and Gulf Shores-Orange Beach, Alabama; and Pensacola, Florida.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
