Our nation�s capital is in the news again. No, not terrorism threats, political spins or President Reagan�s memorial coverage, but tourism growth.

After bottoming out early in this decade, tourism to Washington DC increased a healthy 3% last year with another jump expected for 2004. This is fueled by strong domestic leisure travelers, who make up the majority (66%) of visitors to DC. Earlier this year in FYI we reported strong tourism numbers from the Big Apple, and as we all know, no two cities have had such a long climb back up the tourism ladder as these two.

We�re interested to know how�s business in your part of the country. Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey on tourism trends; your answers are kept confidential. We�ll share results in July�s FYI.

Hotels Change Strategy
Good news for the hotel industry, rates are on the rise. A report from PricewaterhouseCoopers forecasts a 3% jump in average hotel room prices for 2004, with another 3% expected for 2005. But according to an article in the Wall Street Journal, some hotels are willing to leave rooms empty while raising prices. Occupancy rates bottomed out at just under 59% nationwide in �02, and are expected to reach nearly 62% by 2005, but the percentage gain is outpaced by Average Daily Rate (ADR) which is expected to rise to just over $88 by 2005 from its current $83 level.

This is a major shift in the �put heads in beds at any rate� mentality that has overtaken the industry the past 30 months. Hotels are wooing business travelers willing to pay a higher per-diem over value- conscious leisure travelers who�ve been trained to seek bargains. Whether leisure travelers absorb the price increase or decide to stay home remains to be seen.

A Great Opportunity for Tourism Offices
We produce two annual Tourism Offices Directories each year for our readers. Our International Tourism Offices Directory is coming up this August, followed by Domestic U.S. this November. These two directories promise to be our best ever! Published as special supplements to the 27,000 readers of Leisure Group Travel and TRAVEL Tips, on-line at leisuretraveldirectory.com, plus a bonus distribution at major industry trade shows and conferences (like last week�s Mayflower Tours Value Tour rollout), if you�re a tourism office this is your best opportunity of the year to reach groups, especially as they plan their 2005 itineraries. These are the only dedicated reference guides of tourism offices for the entire group travel industry, so don�t miss out.

Any tourism office that takes out a ½ page or larger ad is eligible for a Free Destination Showcase Editorial Profile, equal to the size of your ad. So, buy a ½ page ad ($2,610), get a ½ page Destination Showcase! Buy a full-page ad, get a full-page Destination Showcase ($3,660)!
Email us for complete details and sign-up forms.

Value Selling: The Phrase that Pays by Mike Marchev
When push comes to shove, there are three areas where you can legitimately help clients improve their place in the marketplace:

• You can help them solve current problems
• You can help them avoid future problems
• You can help them maximize their return on investment

Integrated Marketing With PTM Publications
We offer the most complete integrated print and on- line marketing solutions in the market.

1) When you advertise in a Leisure Group Travel or TRAVEL Tips feature article or update, your ad is featured both in print, and in our on-line article archives for two years!

2) You�re also included on our exclusive on-line reader service card where group planners can request information on you 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

3) With a minimum ad purchase, you are also featured on leisuretraveldirectory.com, the group travel industry�s search engine.

4) We have developed the only significant, qualified e-mail database of group travel organizers in North America. Our database contains over 4,400 opt-in e- mail addresses of qualified group travel planners who receive our monthly e-zyne. Here you can post special offers or advertise with a banner ad.

For a limited time, when you buy two or more ads, you�ll receive a �special offer� email broadcast to 4,400 groups in our monthly e-zyne, a $225 value. Contact your sales representative for full details. View a copy of our Reader E-zyne.

Are you Hosting Fams, Conferences or Seminars?
If you are, we need to know about it. Our www.goexperience.com site has a complimentary resource available to tourism offices & suppliers wishing to post their fam trips, conferences & seminars for the travel industry. It�s an excellent way for you to reach out to the travel community and get exposure for your event. Send us your Fam Trips and Seminar Invitations...We�ll Post them for Free!

Upcoming Editorial Features
Don�t miss out on upcoming important features covering your destination or category. Our rock solid lead guarantee means you will receive group leads or we�ll re-run your ad until you do. Nobody else has our guarantee!

Leisure Group Travel
August: - hurry, closes 6/23!
Domestic: Alabama, Ohio, Savannah, Frontier & Mountain West Update, Mid-Atlantic Update
International: Europe, Caribbean
Special Interest: Factory Tours
Supplement: International Tourist Boards, Tour Operators & Receptives

October:
Domestic: Connecticut, Oregon, Washington DC, Midwest & Southeast Updates 
International: British Isles
Special Interest: Agri-tourism
Supplement: Cruise Lines, Scenic Rail & Sightseeing Cruises

December:
Domestic: Wisconsin, Virginia, St. Louis, New England, West Coast States
International: South & Central America
Special Interest: Young Adult & Student Travel, Civil War Sites
Supplement: Tourism Offices, Hotels & Resorts

Complete 2005 Editorial Calendar Available!

TRAVEL Tips
September:
Alaska, Arizona, Oklahoma, Utah, Dakotas, British Columbia, Custer Country, Galveston, Following Migrations
Columns: Guideposts (tour news)
Supplements: International Tourist Offices, Scenic Rail and Sightseeing Cruises

November:
California, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Hawaii, Nevada, Victoria, Oregon�s Coast
Columns: Scenic Rail, Casinos
Supplements: Cruise, Tourism Offices/CVB�s

Complete 2005 Editorial Calendar Available!

Request Your Personalized Advertising Planner Today!

About Premier Tourism Marketing
Premier Tourism Marketing is a leading publisher of trade journals, web sites and e-newsletters for the group travel industry, with a total circulation of 27,000 group travel organizers. Readership includes travel planners representing religious groups, banks and credit unions, retirement clubs, special interest and alumni groups, plus tour operators, bus companies and travel agents that serve the market. The firm is the Grand Prize Winner in the North American Travel Journalists Association Awards. For more information about the company, visit premiertourismmarketing.com.

Contact: John Kloster
johnk@premiertourismmarketing.com
630-964-1431