Mayor Sam Jones and Mobile Bay CVB Announce “Arrive Early” Campaign

Mayor Sam Jones and Mobile Bay CVB Announce
“Arrive Early” Campaign

Mobile, AL – Mayor Sam Jones in association with the Mobile Bay CVB, is pleased to announce the development of a new campaign urging Carnival Cruise passengers to “Arrive early” and “Vacation before your vacation” in Mobile Bay. This campaign is focused on both consumers and travel agents in Mobile’s highest cruise drive markets of Birmingham, Huntsville, Chattanooga and Nashville.
Mobile Bay CVB President/CEO, Leon Maisel, says “Since Carnival Cruise Lines arrived in Mobile, we have been marketing to potential cruise passengers the concept of spending time in Mobile either before or after their cruise. Now, according to newly released results of a year-long cruise passenger survey, over 50% of out-of-town customers departing on a Carnival Cruise from the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal spend the night in the Mobile area. Due to this success we have developed a new campaign to support and strengthen our current efforts and to keep that percentage rising.” The FANTASY, setting sail from Mobile in November 2009, will increase the number of potential consumers by 42%. Mayor Sam Jones states, “The city of Mobile’s partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines has generated a significant economic impact for many industries in our area. We are looking forward to all the new opportunities that come hand-in-hand with the arrival of the FANTASY.”
According to statistics released by Dr. Semoon Chang, Director of the Center for Business & Economic Research at the University of South Alabama, the five year partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines has exceeded expectations. It has worked very well to bring more spending in our area hotels, attractions and restaurants, as well as an economic impact on the industries providing parking, support and supplies for the ship each time it arrives in port.