Category Archives: News

Southwest Airlines shares the LUV with Branson

Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, welcoming Southwest Airlines to Branson.

BRANSON, Mo., August 27, 2012 — Southwest Airlines was welcomed to Branson in typical Branson style. The “Pep Rally” themed event was lead off by a welcoming parade down the Branson Landing Promenade, featuring dignitaries, the Branson High School Marching Band, Color Guard and Cheerleaders, followed by a welcoming ceremony and entertainment by Branson entertainers at the Branson Landing Fountains.

Speakers at the ceremony included Steve Peet, Branson Airport, CEO; Peter and Jack Herschend, co-founders of Silver Dollar City; Tony Orlando; Johnny Morris, Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops; Bob Montgomery, Vice President of Airport Affairs for Southwest Airlines, and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. With a slight change to the title, the theme song for the event, based on the speeches and the crowd’s reaction to Southwest’s announcement of Branson service, could have been, “Can You Feel The LUV Tonight,” from “The Lion King.”

Earlier in the day Southwest Airlines, who, with 3200 flights per day, is the Nation’s “largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded,” had announced that Branson would become the “79th destination to its route map with service” scheduled to start on March 9, 2013. This initial service will begin with daily flights offering nonstop service to Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby and Chicago Midway with Saturday-only service to Orlando. Southwest will assume all flying from AirTran Airways, its wholly owned subsidiary, with AirTran’s operations at Branson fully converting to Southwest Airlines.

“‘Southwest Airlines is proud to bring low fares, great Customer Service, and our red-bellied 737s to Branson,” said Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines’ Vice President of Airport Affairs. “We are looking forward to serving the community and offering more new destinations to Branson Customers.'”

Sharon Budnick, the Director of the Branson Travel Agency, a division of Branson Tourism Center (BTC), said that the Southwest announcement is wonderful news for Branson and provides yet another choice for those wanting to fly to Branson. She also points out that in celebration of the new service “Southwest announced a fare sale of $79* one-way between Branson and Dallas (Love Field), Chicago (Midway), or Houston (Hobby) as well as $99 to Orlando” for travel between March 9, 2013, and April 11, 2013 providing fares are booked by Sept. 6, 2012. Budnick said she would be happy to answer any questions on the new Southwest Service or the celebratory fare sale.  She can be reached by calling the Branson Travel Agency at 1-800-785-2176 or through its website www.BransonTravelAgency.

Branson Tourism Center to sell three millionth ticket same way it sold its first

BTC founder Lianne Milton with Barry Williams who starred as Greg Brady on the "Brady Bunch" TV series.

BRANSON, Missouri May 1, 2012– The Branson Tourism Center (BTC), is Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning service. BTC is about to do something that no other independent seller of Branson attraction and showtickets has ever done, sell its three millionth ticket!

“Naturally we are excited about selling our three millionth ticket,” said Lianne Milton, the co-owner of BTC. “What is really exciting to me is that the goal is the same as it was when we sold our very first ticket, to ‘provide each customer with a level of service and value that gives them the very best Branson experience possible.'” She credits BTC’s guiding philosophy of “If it matters to you, it matters to me,” in building relationships with its customers, employees and vendors, for making the achievement of that goal possible.

“To us, it’s not just three million tickets, it is what those tickets represent in terms of individuals and families having a great time in Branson creating memories that will last a lifetime,” she continued. Milton is quick to credit BTC’s success to the mutual commitment of its employees and the vendors it deals with in providing its customers the very best Branson experience possible, one ticket at a time and one day at a time. She believes that the relationships BTC has built up with Branson’s shows, attractions and lodging facilities enables them to work together to provide BTC’s customers the best combination of lodging and show seat choices, customer service and value available anywhere.

Branson Tourism Center’s “flag ship” product – a free personal, no service charge, concierge type service – is designed to insure that a great Branson experience starts during the initial stages of getting information and planning a Branson vacation. All anyone interested in getting information on Branson has to do is call, toll free, 1-800-875-1550, between the hours of 8:00  AM and 9:30 PM, seven days a week* and talk with one of BTC’s full service vacation planners.

Each vacation planner lives and works in the Branson area, and is personally knowledgeable about all that is going on in Branson. In addition to saving prospective Branson visitors valuable time by answering questions about Branson, helping plan a Branson Vacation and assisting with the purchase of tickets and lodging; the vacation planners have information on how to save money on a Branson vacation through the bundling of show and attraction tickets, discount specials, gas discounts, and other specials and incentives.

For the convenience of those wanting “online” information on Branson, BTC operates two web sites. Its site www.BransonTourismCenter.com, supports the personal concierge service while www.BransonOnTheWeb.com, is offered as a service for those customers who want to make their own travel arrangements on the internet.

Milton emphasizes that regardless of the method used, whether purchasing tickets or lodging on line or by phone, customers get the same prices, benefits, and personalized customer service which has enabled Branson Tourism Center to sell three million tickets.

*BTC is closed on Christmas Day and operates from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the month of January.

Tornado shouldn’t interrupt Branson Spring Break or vacation plans

Titanic Museum Attraction earlier today in all her Spring Break splendor

BRANSON, Mo.  In the wake of the tornado that hit Branson during the early morning hours of February 29 some might ask, “Why should I plan to visit or vacation in Branson?” The answer is simple. For the same reason that you would have come to Branson before the tornado, to have a great time with your family and enjoy the unique exciting experience that only Branson can provide.”

That potentially raises another question, “But is it the same experience after the storm as before?” Without diminishing in any way the anguish and damage suffered by those whose lives or property was impacted by the storm, Stephanie Milton, Director of Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center, one of the largest providers of Branson travel services says, “The answer to that question would have to be a resounding, ‘Yes.'”

Yesterday, while at Scotty’s Trout Dock in downtown Branson, I received confirmation of that fact from a chance encounter. A man came into the office with his two sons and rented a pontoon boat. As he was out in the boat rigging up the rods they would use to fish we started to talk and “shoot the breeze.”

I did not get his name, because we just talking and shooting the breeze at the time, but he is from Memphis, TN and had never been to Branson before. He and his family decided to come and spend their “Spring Break” in Branson because they had heard a lot of great things about it and, although they own a lake property nearer to Memphis, they decided they wanted to try something different this year.

When asked if the tornado had almost caused them not to come he said that it had not, because when they “checked it out” they decided that they could do anything they wanted to do. During their week in Branson, among other things,  they plan to go trout fishing and can check that one off their list; see SIX; visit the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Titanic Museum Attraction and go to Silver Dollar City later in the week.

Given that Branson was hit by an EF-2 tornado, the blessing is that it’s direct impact on the lives, property and economy of the area it tracked over was no greater than it was. Media sensationalism to the contrary, the reality is that there were no fatalities; relatively few injuries and, as this family found out, the vast majority of the property over which the tornado passed was left undamaged including the vast majority of the attractions, shows, shopping and other activities that are the foundation of Branson’s tourism based economy and provide the fun, excitement and adventure for which Branson is famous.

Branson Tourism Center’s Milton adds that from a fun and entertainment perspective, the Branson named as one of 2012’s Best Family Vacation Destinations by Away.com, a division of Orbitz.com, is ready to provide your family with one of the most exciting, unique and entertaining vacations they will ever experience. For additional information about Branson and all it has to offer, please contact the Branson Tourism Center one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Branson #3 in Top 50 Group Tour Destinations for 2012

The magnificent Showboat Branson Belle is just one of the many things available to do in Branson.

When Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales for the Branson Tourism Center, Branson’s leading provider of Branson travel services, first read about Branson, Missouri being ranked Number 3 in a listing of the Top 50 Group Tour Destinations for 2012 in a recent “Byways” online article entitled, “North America’s Top 50 Group Tour Destinations,” she enthusiastically and understandably said, “Yeah Branson!!” Calling Branson “the small town that transformed the entertainment business,” the article reports that Branson was surpassed only by Number 1 Washington, D.C. and Number 2 New York City on the list finishing ahead of cities such as Pigeon Forge, TN; Myrtle Beach, NC; Orlando, Las Vegas and dozens of others.

The listing was based on Byways “annual nationwide survey of tour operators and where they think their groups will be going during 2012.” The article explains that the survey is not a random survey, but is based on a “compilation of information received from tour operators throughout North America who responded to the annual Byways survey.” “Byways” is a bi-monthly publication “distributed electronically, via email to more than 4000 tour operators and 20,000 travel agencies” including bank travel managers, school band and athletic planners and meeting planners.

In addition to reporting and listing the Top 50 Group Tour Destinations for 2012, the article also listed the “Top 30 State Tours Destinations” with Missouri ranking Number 6 ahead of states such as Florida, Hawaii, and North Carolina. Branson also offers five out of the “Top Ten Tour Group Friendly Hotel chains including the Number 1 listed Holiday Inn Express, Number 3 Best Western, Number 4 Hampton Inns, Number 6 Comfort Inns and Number 9 Radisson Hotels.

The 1880’s theme park, Silver Dollar City, Branson’s largest and most popular attraction was listed Number 14 out of the “Top 15 Man-Made Attractions,” in the survey. The list included the Statute of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, Disney World and the Grand Old Opry. In addition to six world class festivals each year, the international award winning theme park features 30 rides and attractions encompassing everything from “Wildfire,” a world class multi-looping roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 66 miles per hour to their new $1 million “Half Dollar Holler” designed for kids through age 7; dozens of demonstrating craftsmen and some of the best live shows and entertainment available anywhere.

Branson Tourism Center’s Wood feels that Branson is popular with groups for the same reason it is popular with families and individuals. The natural beauty of the Ozarks and its lakes, when combined with Branson’s great value; live shows; attractions; golfing; fishing; shopping and other activities makes Branson a wonderful unique travel destination for groups and families alike.

Midwest Living designates Branson as one of the “25 Coolest Midwest Lake Vacation Spots”

The Showboat Branson Belle cruising on Table Rock Lake combines the natural beauty of the Ozarks with great dining and entertainment.

“Branson’s designation as one of the ‘25 Coolest Midwest Lake Vacation Spots‘ by ‘Midwest Living’ is yet another recognition of what millions of people have already found out,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. “Branson, Missouri is a ‘cool’ place for individuals, families and groups of all types to visit for vacations, meetings, special events and to simply relax, have fun, be entertained, shop or enjoy any of the many other amazing activities Branson offers,” she continued.

In designating Branson as one of “25 Coolest Midwest Lake Vacation Spots,” the article specifically mentions Table Rock Lake, one of Branson’s three “Tri-Lakes,” the other two being Lake Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lake. Table Rock Lake with its 43,100 surface acres is the “crown jewel” of Branson’s water related recreational activities, is located just minutes from the famed Branson Strip and provides the source for the majority of the water related sports activities in the Tri-Lakes and some of the finest bass fishing in the United States.

In terms of Branson, the “cool” referred to in the article title goes well beyond Table Rock Lake, which is actually mentioned only minimally in the article when it says, “Chill on Table Rock Lake, take a cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle, then settle in for one of this southwest Missouri town’s glittering live music shows.” In addition to Branson’s live shows the article attributes Branson’s selection as one of the “25 Coolest Midwest Lake Vacation Spots” to Silver Dollar City,  historic downtown Branson, loaded with little souvenir shops and cafes and its ” posh outdoor shopping mall,” Branson Landing.

Johnson points out that what’s really “cool” is that  during 2011, in addition to being named as one of the “25 Coolest Midwest Lake Vacation Spots” by Midwest Living, Branson has received a number of recognitions for the quality of the entertainment experience it provides. These include being named the ‘Best Small City for a Weekend,” for the second year in a row, by the AAA in the July/August issue of ‘AAA Midwest Traveler’ magazine and being named by “TripAdvisor” as a winner of its inaugural “Travelers’ Choice Family Award-winning Great U.S. Destinations to Discover.”

“Everyone in Branson works so hard to make sure our visitors have a great experience while they are in Branson,” Johnson continued. “It’s rewarding when organizations like Midwest Livinge, AAA and Trip Advisor, whether directly or through their readers or members, recognize that effort and help us share what a wonderful place to visit and vacation Branson, Missouri is.”

Branson named “Best Small City for a Weekend” by AAA Midwest Traveler Magazine poll

The main gate to Branson's most popular attraction, and the winner of the polls "Best Theme Park," Silver Dollar City.

“2011 has been a banner year for recognizing Branson, Missouri for the exciting travel destination it is,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. “Earlier in the year it was named by ‘TripAdvisor’ as a winner of its inaugural ‘Travelers’ Choice Family Award-winning Great U.S. Destinations to Discover.’ The July/August issue of ‘AAA Midwest Traveler’ magazine, containing the results of the ‘Second AAA Best of the Midwest Poll,’ announced that Branson has been named the ‘Best Small City for a Weekend,'” she continued.

According to information received from the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB the “AAA Midwest Traveler” magazine “is mailed bi-monthly to approximately 530,000 AAA member households in Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana and eastern Kansas.” It should be pointed out that in addition to being named “The Best Small City for a Weekend” Branson was also prominent in two other first place and second place awards. Branson’s Chateau on the Lake was named the “Best Large Motel and Silver Dollar City was named the “Best Theme Park,” with “Table Rock Lake” taking second for the “Best Lake Getaway” and Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival taking second for the “Best Arts and Crafts Festival.”

In announcing Branson as “Best Small City for a Weekend,” AAA said that this is the second year in a row that the readers of “AAA Midwest Traveler” have picked Branson as “Best Small City for a Weekend.” In citing the reasons why Branson was picked the magazine said, “Certainly the mix of entertainment (more than 50 live shows), lakes, shopping and a bevy of family attractions, including an award-winning theme park, appealed to the majority of our readers.”

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson points out that there are nearly 100 live shows in Branson offering just about every genre of music and everything from outdoor drama to comedy, acrobatics, Kung Fu and lots more. “There truly is a live show in Branson for just about everyone,” she said. “As an organization that works hard within Branson’s tourism industry to make sure that all its clients have the best Branson experience possible, the Branson Tourism Center sincerely appreciates the honor that the readers of “AAA Midwest Traveler” have bestowed on Branson over the last two years. We would invite all those who have never been to Branson to come, visit and experience Branson.”

For additional information or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Record Trout Caught In Branson

August 16, 2005, Branson, MO The Live Entertainment Capital Of The World Branson, Missouri, is the home of the new record for the largest trout caught in the state. On July 16, Bryan Chapman of St. Louis, Missouri, was fishing with his son on Lake Taneycomo in Branson when he caught the record-setting fish. The trout weighed in officially at 27 pounds and 8.8 ounces, beating the previous record held by a fish that was caught in Bull Shoals lake, twenty minutes outside of Branson, in 1997, that weighed 26 pounds 13 ounces.

Branson has evolved into an entertainment mecca that draws millions of tourists for live shows, theme parks, and wholesome family entertainment. Over the years it has become a popular destination for outdoor activities, with three lakes in the surrounding areas Branson is drawing avid fishermen from around the country. The family can go fishing in the morning, shopping in the afternoon and go see a show in the evening, there is something for each member in the family to enjoy and participate.

This is very exciting for Branson, said Lianne Milton, owner of Branson Tourism Center. It brings attention to Branson and shows that there is something for the whole family, whether its fishing, shows or theme parks you can bring your whole family and everyone will be able to do something to do that they enjoy. Liannes company Branson Tourism Center offers discount lodging, tickets and packages to Branson and without charging any service fees. They have recently made headlines by offering all customers who order tickets through their service between August 15 and August 31, 2005, a 40-cents-per-gallon gas discount up to 20 gallons for their vacation to Branson. We are currently offering all of our customers who order tickets through our service a 40-cents-per-gallon gas discount up to 20 gallons when they travel to Branson. Normally we offer all of our customers a 20-cents-per-gallon discount, but by doubling this offer we are addressing our customers concerns about traveling and helping save them as much money as possible on their trip to Branson, noted Milton.