Columbus hosts Midwest’s biggest group
tour show
Many of the nation’s top group travel planners visited Columbus for Heartland Travel Showcase Feb. 19-21 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Considered the Midwest’s biggest group tour show, Heartland drew 700 attendees from 12 states and Canada to Columbus including more than 135 tour operators.
Experience Columbus had multiple occasions during Heartland to
showcase the city as a group tour destination.
At an opening night event at COSI, attendees explored Adventure, an
Indiana Jones-like area open only to groups. Welcoming attendees were
First Lady Frances Strickland, Jack
Hanna and exotic animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and
historical re-enactors from the Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Historical
Society.
Sightseeing tours during the show took attendees to the Arena
District and Short North Arts District, along with arts, culinary and
historical attractions.
Thirty tour operators stayed in Columbus Feb. 22-24 for an extended tour of the city, including several experiential activities where groups can get hands-on or enjoy special access.
“We expect the exposure that we received through hosting Heartland to increase the number of tours coming to Columbus,” said Kari Kauffman, Experience Columbus director of tourism. "This was a great opportunity for us and our partners to showcase Central Ohio."
Experience Columbus is the official travel and tourism resource for
Columbus, Ohio
277 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125 - Columbus, Ohio 43215
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