Tennessee eye tourism boost from new Dublin to Nashville service

Tennessee Tourism is preparing to welcome an influx of visitors from the UK and Ireland following the recent launch of Aer Lingus’ new non-stop Dublin to Nashville flights.

‘Music City’ Nashville, home to Sun Studios, Beale Street and the Stax Museum, will be music to Irish fans’ ears.

With the 90^th anniversary of the birth of Elvis and the 100^th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry this year, visitors can expect celebratory events.

Plus, there’s the added incentive of joining in the fun and festivities at Dollywood, country music star Dolly Parton’s acclaimed theme park near Pigeon Forge, in the Smoky Mountains, currently celebrating its 40^th season.

To help celebrate the launch of the new Dublin to Nashville service, a delegation from Tennessee Tourism will be in London and Dublin on a sales mission from April 28-May 1, led by Margaret Fuqua and Jill Kilgore from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

Accompanying Fuqua and Kilgore will be representatives from Memphis Travel, Visit Franklin, Sevierville, and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.

They have a busy schedule of meetings and events for local travel trade and media, including a VIP culinary event on April 29.

Ahead of their visit, Jessica Jackson, Senior Account Manager at Travel and Tourism Marketing (TTM) Ltd, said: “We are beyond excited about the new flight launch, which will bring Tennessee’s myriad charms ever closer.”

Jackson added: “From the anniversary celebrations for Elvis, the Grand Ole Opry and Dollywood to big draw events such as Bonnaroo, over in Manchester, a busy summer awaits Irish visitors across the state.

Food festivals are an increasingly big draw with international visitors, lauding Tennessee staples such as MoonPies, Banana Pudding and BBQ, supported by popular routes such as the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and Tennessee Wine Trail.

Plus, Tennessee is set to star in the Michelin Guide American South later this year.

“Head outdoors for active adventure playgrounds such as Ruby Falls, in Chattanooga, and Tennessee’s big draw card, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” says Jackson.

“Bike Tennessee tempts visitors to take in some of the more ‘off-the-beaten track’ there are hot new hotels.”

Standout new hotel properties include  The Gilmore, in Nashville; Hotel Pontotoc, in Memphis; Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo, in Chattanooga; and The Timber at Holly Branch, a whole-log boutique hotel in Gatlinburg, in the Smoky Mountains.

UK travelers can choose from a wide range of fly-drives taking in the state’s expansive network of self-guided Trails and Byways, such as America As You Like It’s 14-night Tennessee Music Pathway.

This is priced from £1,775pp, including flights, accommodation and car rental, the itinerary features Memphis and Nashville alongside Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville.

Escorted tours are plentiful too, with Nashville and Memphis featuring on a wide range of music-themed tours of the Deep South, including Freedom Destinations’ 10-day Tastes & Sounds of the South, from £3,950pp with flights, including nine nights’ hotel accommodation; some meals and experiences.

Motorhomes offer another classic way to explore the state, staying in bases such as the new Broken Banjo RV Park, in Manchester.

Top picks include Journeyscape’s 11-day Rhythms of the South by Motorhome, from £3,770pp, excluding flights, based on two adults sharing. 

Meanwhile, non-drivers can take advantage of Vonlane’s plans to extend its luxury coach transfers connecting Nashville and Memphis to add additional centres such as Knoxville, offering an upmarket alternative to Greyhound.

To request a meeting with the Tennessee delegation: mark@ttmworld.co.uk

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