Atlanta tourism industry dangles deals to boost business

Have you ever wanted to get two people into an Atlanta Braves game for the price of one, or eat a meal at South City Kitchen for about $15?

Deals abound this summer for visitors in Atlanta as the hospitality industry tries to find ways to bring in business during one of the worst economic recessions on record.

“In times like these, many businesses and consumers tend to panic,” said Gus Eurton, marketing director for the Braves, adding that the two-for-one Braves deal is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. “Much of that panic is rightfully so,” he said. “But the world is not coming to an end. There is value out there. We’re trying to be an enabler of fun.”

At $11.4 billion, hospitality is one of the biggest contributors to Atlanta’s economy. But this year that number could be seriously challenged by the recession.

Sales are down or flat at the city’s restaurants, hotels, attractions and entertainment venues and industry observers fear consumers could hold onto those dollars during the lucrative summer season.

Atlanta and Georgia are part of a nationwide effort to emphasize the value of hospitality this week in National Tourism Week. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts a conference Tuesday to discuss ways hospitality leaders like Eurton are hoping to attract customers.

William Pate, the ACVB’s president, said most Atlantans don’t recognize how they are touched by hospitality. Restaurants, cabs, MARTA and attractions are all part of travel and tourism.

“It’s one of those significant drivers whose impact is not always understood,” Pate said.

The ACVB hopes to make it more apparent this summer. The group will launch later this month a “backyard” campaign that is designed to advertise the city’s assets within a 100-mile radius. The hope is to attract visitors who can’t afford Disney this year, but still want to have some fun.

Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter can play a role in that drive to reach customers, said Michael Erickson, director of Fifth Group, owner of South City Kitchen, Ecco and other restaurants.

“Budgets are tight,” he said. “We are doing our best to stretch every dollar that we can.”