Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and country superstar Brad Paisley jointly announced the launch of ... [+]
Tennessee’s tourism board has started the month of July off with a nationwide campaign that partially helps to cover the cost of flying to get there.
Known as “Tennessee on Me,” the new initiative is offering 10,000 free airline vouchers to four Tennessee airports and their respective cities -- Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville -- with a two-night stay purchased from the website, Visit Music City.
The campaign was unveiled with a video featuring country singer and Tennessee resident Brad Paisley and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee via Paisley’s Twitter account on July 4th.
According to Mark Ezell, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the campaign is partially inspired by Paisley’s latest song.
“Brad just released his new single ‘City of Music,’ which is a love letter to Nashville,” stated Ezell, in an emailed response. “We know how passionate he is about supporting our state, and frankly, we couldn’t think of anyone more perfect to help launch this campaign.”
To book a "Tennessee On Me" package, potential visitors have to log onto the website, ... [+]
While music is part of Tennessee's identity, and that it’s a natural to include it in a tourism campaign, Ezell added that the promotion “is really about making sure visitors keep Tennessee top of mind as they make their summer travel plans.”
Accessible via its website, the “Tennessee on Me” tourism promotion requires visitors to purchase a minimum two-night stay in either Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville and at a participating hotel within their chosen city.
“This campaign is intended to bring dollars into the state and help get businesses back on their feet,” said Ezell.
“Tennessee on Me” package reservations must be booked before Sept. 15, 2021, and travel dates must be between now and Dec. 30, 2021. The hotel stay must include at least one night between Sunday through Wednesday. More than 60 hotels in Tennessee are participating in the campaign.
Upon booking this nonrefundable purchase, each package will also include a single $250 airline voucher that can be redeemed from America, Delta or Southwest airlines based on availability at time of booking. Airline tickets can only be purchased once hotel packages are reserved.
“Once booking requirements are verified, a digital airline voucher will be sent to the email address on the reservation within forty-eight to seventy-two hours after the booking date,” said Ezell.
Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville are all highlighted in the "Tennessee on Me" tourism ... [+]
While Tennessee tourism gained with domestic visits to the state’s outdoor destinations in 2020, Ezell also noted that the state’s cities continued to feel losses from a lack of business and international travel and for conventions.
“‘Tennessee on Me’ was created to stimulate tourism growth in the markets with the greatest need, as well as increase air travel through our major airports,” said Ezell. “Our goal is to restore this industry which supports the entire state budget, and our big cities have the greatest need.”
While “Tennessee on Me” is being touted as a nationwide campaign, Tennesseans aren’t being forgotten. The state’s residents are encouraged to explore Tennessee’s vast topography, from the Cumberland Plateau or the Appalachian or Great Smoky Mountains, plus visit local businesses and attractions within and beyond the participating cities.
“We know once visitors come and experience the Southern hospitality we’re known for, they’ll want to keep coming back,” said Ezell.
