FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LINCOLN, Neb. (September 26, 2016)—Parts of western Nebraska will step into the national spotlight September 27- October 2, as the state plays host to a group of 20 journalists writing for international, national and regional media outlets. This will be the fifteenth media tour sponsored by the Nebraska Tourism Commission. The tours are designed to show selected media outlets what Nebraska has to offer visitors in various regions of the state.
 
The tours will show off the state’s western culture, golf, local businesses and other outdoor recreation activities at Fort Robinson State Park, Toadstool Geologic Park and familiar landmarks—Courthouse and Jail Rocks, Chimney Rock, and Scotts Bluff National Monument. In addition to sampling all of the fun activities available, the journalists will tour museums, sample local restaurants, learn about famous Nebraska historical figures and much more. Cities featured in the tour include Ogallala, Lewellen, Crawford, Alliance, Chadron, Bridgeport, Scottsbluff and Gering. 
  
The visiting journalists write for a wide variety of publications including USA Today, Washington Post, The Associated Press, Kansas City Star, AAA Going Places, Farm World Magazine, The Oklahoman, Travelgirl, Los Angeles Magazine, Texas Lifestyle Magazine, RootsRated, AAA Via Magazine, AAA Journey, Cobb Life Magazine, 50 Plus Magazine, Slice Magazine, Uptown, AAA Midwest Traveler and several others.
 
“We continues to support and host these statewide media tours because they’ve proven to be a great success,” said Angela Sears, Nebraska Tourism marketing manager. “We greatly appreciate the support from the local businesses and communities who participate in the tours and welcome the journalists with open arms. The tours are just one example of the unique ways we must promote the exploration of Nebraska." 
 
Some 312 journalists have visited Nebraska on the 15 previous media tours, resulting in 786 articles or broadcast segments, which have appeared in media outlets including The New York Times, ForbesLife, Midwest Living, Smithsonian, Latina Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Parade, USA Today’s Go Escape Magazine, Saveur, IN Magazine, American Cowboy, Wall Street Journal, Group Tour, Group Travel Leader, Canadian Geographic, Byways, Smart Meetings, Short Escapes, American Way,  MotorHome Magazine, Huffington Post, Texas Golfer, AAA Journeys, National Public Radio, Kansas City Star, Miami Herald, Nashville Tennessean, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Oklahoman, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Toronto Sun, Albuquerque Journal and The Coloradoan.
 
Some 903,645,161 potential visitors have been exposed to this coverage. If this editorial coverage had been purchased as paid advertising it would have cost more than $12.7 million. National and in-state tourism sponsors have provided more than $572,815 in goods and services including air transportation, lodging, meals and activities to support the Nebraska Tourism Commission’s media tour program. The program currently has an ROI of $16.36 to every $1.00 spent.