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From the Desk of Commissioner Mark Ezell
Dear Industry Partners,
The past five months have presented significant challenges for all of us, both personally and professionally. While travel has returned in parts of the state, it’s clear our recovery is not linear. Now more than ever, our industry must remain committed to providing a safe, clean environment to protect our communities and keep our doors open.
Many Tennessee hotels, restaurants and attractions made significant operational changes to protect employees and still provide an incredible visitor experience. Our industry has proven its resilience time and again, and I remain in awe of your creative solutions to keep one another safe!
Since the Economic Recovery Group launched the TN Strong Mask Movement in June, more than 70 flagship Tennessee brands have stepped up to get more face coverings into the hands of Tennesseans. The list includes beloved brands like the Tennessee Titans, Memphis Grizzlies, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Bristol Motor Speedway and Jack Daniel’s to name a few, along with a number of our DMO partners. Custom face masks are available for order at TNmasksupply.com.
Additionally, over the last few weeks a number of Tennessee counties have implemented orders that require face coverings across the state. In addition, many businesses like Walmart and Kroger have decided to protect their customers and employees by asking every individual inside their stores to wear a face covering. Increasingly, science has proven that cloth face coverings are an effective measure to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19. Both the CDC and World Health Organization now recommend cloth masks for general public, a shift as scientists understand more about pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic spread of COVID-19.
The evidence is clear: the more people that wear masks, the better. With that in mind, I urge you as leaders in your community to join the movement and support widespread mask-wearing as a key defense against COVID-19.
As always, thank you for your support and resilience in this time.
Stay well and travel safe,
Commissioner Mark Ezell
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Millennials are more optimistic the pandemic will get better, according to Destination Analysts.
U.S. Travel & Tennessee Tourism Numbers
U.S. Travel Association released new travel statistics from Tourism Economics, Arrivalist, ADARA and more. Travel spending was $11.5 billion and registered a $12 billion loss for the week ending June 18 compared to last year’s levels.
Travel spending growth has seen a slight 9% increase over the past month. This continual depressed level has caused a $38 billion loss in federal, state and local tax revenues since March 1.
According to a survey conducted by Destination Analysts, 47% of respondents say they have no travel plans for the rest of the year with 44% saying they won’t travel until there’s a vaccine.
In Tennessee, travel arrivals for in-state travelers decreased 5% over the previous week July 19-25. U.S. Travel data indicated travel spending declined $263M to $261M for the week ending July 18, a less than 1% decrease from the previous week ending July 11. Millennials and younger in the South are most optimistic the pandemic will get better in the U.S., according to a survey conducted by Destination Analysts.
Tennessee-specific research including travel spending, in-state arrivals and sentiment is updated weekly in the “COVID-19 Tennessee Research” document.
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Tennessee State Museum’s communication to visitors.
Tennessee Tourism Partners Dedicated to the TN Pledge
As Tennessee continues its journey through the coronavirus pandemic, many tourism establishments have stepped up and taken the Tennessee Pledge, putting new health protocols in place for the well-being of visitors.
Some partners include Tennessee State Museum where temperature checks for employees and guests are conducted and mask wearing is required while inside the facility. Physical distancing signs are placed throughout exhibit areas as well.
The Discovery Center in Murfreesboro hosts up to 75 visitors at a time on a first-come, first-served basis. They require face coverings for all visitors over the age of four years old inside the museum and encourage physical distancing. The entire museum is cleaned daily as well as between each timed ticket block.
At Bay’s Mountain Park & Planetarium in Kingsport, only 20 guests are allowed in the Nature Center with nine participants allowed for programs and barge rides at one time. Face coverings are required to enter park buildings. A designated flow of foot traffic has been designed so visitors can maintain physical distance. In Memphis at the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, they’re ready to rock again with health protocols in place including temperature checks of employees and guests, encouraging physical distancing, hands-free ticket purchases and only allowing 60 guests at one time inside the museum. Hand sanitizer is available for guests at the entrance and exit, ticket counter, inside the gift shop and in each restroom.
If you know a business that has taken the Tennessee Pledge, email information and photos to Jill Kilgore, TDTD PR Manager, at jill.kilgore@tn.gov.
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Nashville Predators introduce new campaign.
Nashville Predators Launch “Masks On Smashville Strong” and
“Summer Hockey” Preds Approved Package
The Nashville Predators are excited to introduce the "Summer Hockey" Preds Approved package.
This free membership includes a Preds flag and your location listed on their official list “Where to Watch List.” Preds Approved locations commit to air the Nashville Predators games live in their establishments and encourage staff members to wear gold on game days. Summer Hockey locations have the opportunity to purchase more promotional items at an additional cost.
Apply and receive your Preds flag!
FOX Sports Tennessee will televise Nashville's Stanley Cup Qualifying Round matchup with the Arizona Coyotes starting Aug. 2, as the Preds begin their quest for the Cup. All games televised on FS-TN will also be available on the FOX Sports GO app, and all telecasts will be bookended by the Predators’ LIVE pregame and postgame shows. In addition to the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, FS-TN will air the Predators' exhibition game 3 p.m. CT today, July 30 versus the Dallas Stars.
See channel listings, streaming options and to download the app.
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Money raised to feed Tennesseans in Huntingdon. Photo credit: Ron Park- Carroll County News-Leader Staff Writer
Partner Spotlight: Carroll County Shooting Sports Complex Raises Money to Battle Hunger
Even in the midst of a pandemic, Tennesseans’ volunteer spirit shines bright. More than $62,000 was raised during the fourth annual Shooting Hunger event at the Carroll County Shooting Sports Complex in Huntingdon.
The event raised enough money to provide more than 250,000 meals through regional food banks. The event featured two flights of sporting clays competition. Awards were given to the top-scoring, five-person teams and individual shooters.
Shooting for Hunger events happen across the state and have funded 1.5 million meals for hungry Tennesseans.
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