FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LINCOLN, Neb. (June 13, 2017)—Parts of western Nebraska will step into the national spotlight June 12-18, as the Nebraska Tourism Commission plays host to a group of 21 journalists writing for international, national and regional media outlets. These tours are designed to give selected media outlets an opportunity to learn what Nebraska has to offer visitors in various regions of the state.

The tours will show off the state’s western culture, 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, dine at local restaurants, learn about famous Nebraska historical figures and much more. Cities featured in the tour include Ogallala, Lewellen, Crawford, Alliance, Chadron, Bridgeport, Sidney, Scottsbluff and Gering.

The visiting journalists write for a wide variety of publications including National Geographic Traveler, AAA, USA Today, Smithsonian, History Channel Magazine, Alaska Airlines’ Magazine, Audubon Magazine, US Weekly, Every Day with Rachel Ray, American Cowboy, the Chicago Tribune, the Toronto Star and several others.

“We hope to inspire these writers and then let them inspire their readers to plan a vacation to our state. Many of the journalists find that Nebraska is an undiscovered destination full of beauty and adventure," said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism executive director.

Some 373 journalists have visited Nebraska on the 18 previous media tours, resulting in 848 articles or broadcast segments, which have appeared in media outlets including 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 1,118,120,362 potential visitors have been exposed to this coverage. If this editorial coverage had been purchased as paid advertising it would have cost more than $13.8 million. National and in-state tourism sponsors have provided more than $703,580 in goods and services including air transportation, lodging, meals and activities to support the Nebraska Tourism Commission's media tour program.

This is the third tour hosted by Nebraska Tourism since March.