PHILADELPHIA - (Business Wire) The American Bus Association (ABA) announced today to Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and MAC officials at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel during MAC’s 15th Annual Recognition Luncheon, the selection of the Global Fusion Festival, produced by the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2010. The announcement was made in front of more than 500 hospitality and business attendees interested in Philadelphia remaining a top multicultural destination. The American Bus Association chose the Global Fusion Festival from among thousands of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices, convention and visitors bureaus. “The attractiveness of the Global Fusion Festival as a don’t miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for Philadelphia,” commented Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS, ABA’s president and CEO. “The real news here is that the Global Fusion Festival has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when re-energizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. This honor gives Philadelphia an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners.”
Initially produced in 2007 to celebrate MAC’s 20th Anniversary, the Global Fusion Festival has expanded from a two-day event entertaining more than 5,000 people, to a week-long celebration attracting more than 25,000 attendees. The festival holds true to its “global fusion” theme by presenting an assortment of invaluable opportunities for visitors and residents to experience through the City’s rich multicultural history, entertainment, cuisines, and national award winning talent the festival attracts.
“The Global Fusion Festival is one of the many ways for people of all cultures to come to Philadelphia and see for themselves the great things the city has to offer,” commented Tanya E. Hall, executive director of MAC. “As the number of festival attendees continue to increase through this recognition, local hotels, merchants, restaurants, shopping venues, and attractions will experience first-hand this increased tourism economic boost.”
The annual festival is held on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and is a part of PECO’s Sumer-long Multicultural Festival Series. Entering its 4th year, the Global Fusion Festival’s mission is to truly embody Philadelphia’s dynamic culture and make entertaining all ages a priority by loading the festival grounds with unforgettable cultural music; ethnic dance performances representing Philadelphia’s African Diaspora, Caribbean, Hispanic and Asian cultures; traditional foods; crafts and giveaways…all for free.
“Simply put,” states Pantuso, “motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer. That’s why Philadelphia’s Global Fusion Festival is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay.”
The release of the 2010 Top 100 Events will mark 28 years of Top 100 Events list produced by the ABA. The list began as a way for motorcoach operators to incorporate new products into their itineraries and has become one of the most sought after list by travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public. The Top 100 Events list receives worldwide attention through television, radio and print media, including USA Today and CNN. After the events are chosen, ABA produces and distributes about 10,000 copies of the Top 100 Events magazine featuring the winners to their members and thousands of travelers worldwide.
In 2008, group travel business utilized 36,750 hotel rooms in Center City Philadelphia.
The Global Fusion Festival was one of six events in Pennsylvania chosen to be inducted as part of ABA’s Top 100 Events. Other local events include Philadelphia’s Mummer Fancy Brigade Finale and the Philadelphia International Flower Show.
About MAC
The Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, was formed in 1987 as the first multicultural division of a Convention & Visitors Bureau in the nation. MAC maximizes opportunities for the region by promoting Philadelphia as an ethnically diverse visitor destination, encouraging multicultural business and social responsibility that contributes to and benefits from the varying multicultural communities that enhance our region's hospitality and tourism industry. For more information, visit www.PhiladelphiaMAC.org
Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC)
Elka Battle, 215-636-4432
Cell: 856-625-5354
elkab@pcvb.org
