We're all familiar with destinations that bend over backwards to either attract or repel Spring Break revelers. But the Ithaca/Hopkins County NY CVB has taken a different tact...with amazing results.
They focus on the teachers!
Ithaca's Winter Recess is a week of discounts and special events for teachers and employees of school districts during the New York school break. In its first year, the promotion attracted 1,300 people. Last year, 2,500 participated.
This year? 4,300 educators, a 70% increase, resulting in a 20% increase in business at area hotels and bed and breakfast inns. While roughly half of the participants were area residents, out-of-county attendees came from all parts of New York, 13 outlying states and Canada.
Very cool.
The Visitors Bureau believes it's the nation's only community-wide festival celebrating classroom educators. The 2010 event begins Feb. 12.
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