Branson #3 in Top 50 Group Tour Destinations for 2012

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 Winter Great Escape

Take time this winter to escape to Branson. Treat yourself to 3 days 2 nights lodging, 2 adult tickets to Titanic Museum Attraction, 1 Gift Basket of your choice, FREE Insider's Guide to Branson DVD, and a FREE Concierge Card good for Perks all over Branson, including 10% off of all purchases in the Titanic Museum Attraction gift shop. All for only $229!

6th annual Titanic Ice Carving Competition is also NICA National Finals

"Becoming a tradition over the last five years, one of the most anticipated events of the Winter Season in Branson is the annual ice carving competition held at The Titanic Museum Attraction during January of each year," said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. "As exciting and amazing as the first five have been, this year's event, being held in Branson on February 4 and 5 promises to be even more exciting because it will be the National Ice Carving Association's (NICA) National Finals and a 'preliminary for competitors to end up in the city of Sochi, Russia, the host city for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in 2014,'" she continued.

Chances are what "they" love most about Branson is what you will love about Branson

Recently, in connection with making a video for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson's largest and most respected vacation planning services, the question, "What do you love most about Branson?," was asked. When the question was posted on www.1Branson.com, the responses paint a wonderful picture of Branson, what it has to offer and why Branson just might be the ideal place to visit or plan your next vacation.

Sweetheart Sweet Deal Package

Who doesn't love a "Sweet Deal", especially one created just for you and your sweetheart. Pamper yourself with 3 days 2 nights lodging in a King Jacuzzi room, 2 adult tickets to one of 3 show options, 2 adult tickets to Titanic Museum Attraction, 1 Romance Gift Basket, FREE Insider's Guide to Branson DVD, and a FREE Concierge Card good for Perks all over Branson. Enjoy all of this for only $309!

TripAdvisor recognizes Branson as one of top "Destinations on the rise"

Branson was recently recognized as one of the "15 Destinations on the rise" by TripAdvisor.Com in a select list with the likes of Nashville, TN, Austin, TX, Charleston, SC and others. In naming Branson as Number 7 out of the 15 destinations recognized, the article said that Branson's natural beauty, attractions, live entertainment, shopping and other activities "draw 8.4 million tourists a year."

Plungers Freezin' for a Reason as Branson Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics of Missouri

At 2 p.m. on February 11 some special people are going to be "Freezin' for a Reason" as they plunge into the cold water of Table Rock Lake in the 7th Annual Branson Polar Plunge. The reason the participants, appropriately designated as "Plungers," will be "freezin'" is to support the more than 1,700 athletes in the Southwest Area of the "Special Olympics of Missouri (SOMO)." The 2011 Branson Polar Plunge raised more than $30,000 for the Special Olympic Athletes. The goal for the 2012 is $34,000.

Branson Up Close and Personal with Christina Lingo Tabuchi

One of Branson's most popular shows is the Shoji Tabuchi Show which has been entertaining audiences in Branson, in its own theatre, for going on 23 years. Starting out as an eight year old performer, Shoji's daughter, Christina Lingo Tabuchi, has been singing and dancing with her dad for just about everyone of those years and has developed into an extraordinary singer and dancer who is the shows Vocal Director and Co-Captain of the Dancers. In addition to performing with the Shoji Tabuchi show this very personable young lady is also in the process of developing a solo career.