My "favorite road trip" featured in the New York Times

What's your favorite road trip? Mine is the breathtaking journey through the canyons and hoodoos of Utah's Scenic Byway 12, which I visited earlier this month.

Coincidentally, the New York Times issued a call for readers to share their most cherished road trips just as I was returning from Southern Utah. I promptly tweeted about the region's marvels using the hashtag #faveroadtrip.

I'm pleased to report that the Times picked my tweet for their article! Click here for the full story.

Interested in learning more about Scenic Byway 12? You're in luck! I've just published my first of several posts about the trip:

PHOTOS: Hoodoos and scenic views at Utah’s Devils Garden

Stay tuned to Downtown Traveler for more posts on Zion, Bryce and southern Utah's other attractions.

Happy travels!
-Leslie

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Why are bloggers important to the travel industry?

Destination marketers are increasingly courting bloggers to provide immediate, in-depth and influential coverage.

I was asked by the NTA to answer three questions about travel blogging for their newsletter. My task was to explain the importance of blogger outreach and to clarify what bloggers are looking for when they visit a destination.

I accepted without hesitation. The NTA is the leading association for travel professionals in North America and their newsletter reaches a wide and influential audience.

Check out my "3Q" answers-- and share your opinion of blogger outreach by leaving a comment below!

>> Click here to read the short "3 Questions" feature:

Can a Blogger Help Your Destination? 3Qs with Leslie Koch

>> Click here to read the full Q&A, including tips for reaching bloggers on Twitter:

Finding a Travel Blogger for Your Destination

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US Travel Leaders Head to Egypt and Jordan on "Restoring the Journey" Tour

Is it safe to travel to Egypt and Jordan? Travelers aren't so sure, and tourism is down significantly in the Middle East.

The presidents of leading US-based travel associations are heading to the region tomorrow for a six-day trip. Sponsored by the tourism ministries of Egypt and Jordan, the “Restoring the Journey” trip is both a fact-finding mission and a way for the U.S. travel industry to show its support for Middle East tourism.

I will be joining the leaders of the USTOA, NTA, ATTA and ASTA on this tour and will be providing live coverage on Downtown Traveler's Twitter and Facebook pages.

For more information, read the full post here:
"Is it safe to travel to Egypt and Jordan? US tourism leaders to investigate"

Photo courtesy of Visit Jordan

Follow Downtown Traveler on Twitter and Facebook for continued coverage of the “Restoring the Journey” trip.

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