A BITE you will not soon forget

COVINGTON, Ga. - Feb. 19, 2014 - PRLog -- The Covington/Newton County CVB is pleased to announce the addition of a new tourism asset that just opened in our beautiful downtown, The Mystic Grill. With the opening of this beautiful restaurant, inspired from the popular show filmed here, The Vampire Diaries, tourists have yet another reason to visit Covington GA, The real Hollywood of the South®. Visitors today are looking for a complete experience. “The Mystic Grill will only enhance and round out the ultimate tourist experience”, said Kelly Johnston, one of the owners of Mystic Grill.  “We have taken painstaking measures to give Covington residents as well as fans of the show a beautiful place to dine. It is an experience all by itself. It is first class.”

Director of Tourism, Jenny McDonald said, “Today’s tourist wants a full experience. When they have more things to do they stay longer and more revenue is seen by many. With the opening of this beautiful, fine dining restaurant, we have another product to promote and brag about. We love it”.

We already have many successful entrepreneurs that have started or grown their businesses because of the popularity of The Vampire Diaries. Just ask Jessica Lowery, owner of Mystic Falls Tours. She has been quoted many times saying, “What started out as a hobby, after being laid off from my teaching job, now supports my family of four. Being able to show tourists from all over the world our beautiful historic city, while talking about all the shows that have been filmed here is just a dream come true,” Jessica said. Mystic Falls Tours has now grown to include a store located on the square that sells lots of TV memorabilia

These are just two great examples of great tourism product development that complement one another to create that experience that tourists want. There are many more but you will have to come visit to discover all of them.

If we review the tourism numbers for 2012 (reports from the state lag 1 year behind), we find that tourism supported 1030 jobs, generated $107.87 million in direct tourist spending, created $4.17 million in state tax revenues and generated $3.22 million in local tax revenues. These numbers are very impressive.

Tourism is totally funded by hotel/motel tax so multiple night stays are a primary goal to increase funding thus attracting more businesses here. Tourism is a huge part of Economic Development.

For more information please go to our website at www.GoCovington.com or give us a call at 1-800-616-8626. We can’t wait for you to visit.