Win up to $500 in prizes from Palm Springs tourism in their photo contest

Palm Springs tourism does a great job marketing our beautiful town. Here at Terra Cotta Inn, we have been open 15 years. In that time, we have had some mediocre tourism heads and now we have a very creative tourism department and leaders.

Our tourist department just created a photography contest where you can win up to $500 in prizes. You can use your prize money to stay at Terra Cotta Inn.

First you must join the Palm Springs tourism flickr group at:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/palmsprings

Here are the rules from the Palm Springs tourism flickr group:

"Palm Springs Photo Contest

Visit Palm Springs is a group administrator Visit Palm Springs says:

Do you have a photo that captures that iconic image expressing the beauty, history and charm of Palm Springs?

Those who visit and live in Palm Springs know that there are amazing views, attractions, historical sites and entertainment.
Both amateur and professional photographers are invited to enter the Palm Springs Photo Contest to showcase their best images of Palm Springs' attributes and attractions.

What to Enter
The Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism is seeking images that portray Palm Springs as an attractive, unique destination. Images will be judged on originality, technical excellence, overall impacts and artistic merit.

Suggested Shots
Photos of plants and wildlife
City and desert views
Interesting angles of familiar places
New and old architectural treasurers

Prizes
Winning images will be featured in Palm Springs Bureau pf Tourism marketing materials. A total of $500.00 in prize money will be distributed, including a Grand Prize.

Adding photos to the Visit Palm Springs group on Flickr and entry to the contest constitutes agreement to allow photographs to be used by the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism to promote Palm Springs as a travel destination through its print and online materials.

How To Enter

1. Join the Palm Springs Flickr Group www.flickr.com/groups/palmsprings
2. Name Digital File as follows: Photos Title by Photographer's Name (example: Sunrise in Palm Springs by John Doe)
3. Upload an image into Flickr Group. Image must be 300 dpi and high-resolution.
4. Contest ends September 30, 2010.

The photo contest is open to everyone. Photo must be original and not have been previously published in any promotional materials, websites, etc.

The Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism shall have the right to verify, in their sole judgment, winner eligibility. By submitting a photo, you agree that you have obtained all necessary rights, permissions, consents, approvals and releases from any persons and commercial entities show, involved in the creation, displayed or who does or may have any interest or rights in connection with the photograph submitted."

Good luck everyone.

Above is a picture of Patty our manager. This is a typical Palm Springs scene at our resort, Terra Cotta Inn. Our guests are completely relaxed.

You will love Palm Springs. Although I haven't had a chance to upload this story yet, Tripadvisor.com just picked Palm Springs as one of the top 4 weekend getaway destinations in the US. It's also a perfect place to take a vacation.

FYI, Terra Cotta Inn is a historic property being a midcentury modern Albert Frey building.

Tom Mulhall
Terra Cotta Inn clothing optional resort and spa
Resort site: http://sunnyfun.com
Friend us on facebook at http://bit.ly/TerraCottaInnFBPage

For more information or to make reservations, call us at 800-786-6938

We hope to see you soon in sunny Palm Springs!

US government must be more welcoming to foreign tourists

Probably close to 25% of our business comes from guests who do not live in the US. They are mainly Canadians, Brits, and Australians. Although we do get other Europeans, Africans, Asians, etc.

Canadians say US immigration is pretty good especially since they clear it in Canada. However, all other guests always complain about US immigration, and how they are the most unwelcoming people and how hard it is to travel to the US.

Europeans always say if it wasn't for vacationing at our resort, The Terra Cotta Inn clothing optional resort and spa, they would never come back for a vacation in the US again.

This is really sad and it translates into keeping away overseas visitors.

Tourism is one of the biggest industries in the US. It helps the US balance of trade as tourists spend money in the US. Yet, the federal government makes it so hard for tourists to vacation in America.

A new survey shows interest is up in the US, but travel is not. Here it is:
|
"New Survey: Interest in America Grows, Fails to Translate into More Visitors

Concerns about ‘Fortress America’ Keeping Overseas Arrivals Down

Travel Industry Calls for Public-Private Solutions to Spur Inbound Travel
New Survey: Interest in America Grows, Fails to Translate into More Visitors

Washington, DC – November 2009 – Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, issued the following statement Friday (November 6) on the Country Brand Index (CBI) released by FutureBrand, in conjunction with Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel & Lifestyle Practice. The index revealed that the United States is the world’s top country brand for the first time in the fifth annual CBI, rising from the third spot in 2008.

“Perceptions of the United States are on the rise - a tribute to President Obama and the people of this great country. But if interest in the United States is growing, then policymakers should ask themselves why it is not resulting in greater overseas travel to our country. According to the Department of Commerce, August was the 10th straight month in which international travel spending in the United States declined. And 2009 will be the eighth straight year in which overseas arrivals fell short of pre-9/11 visitors to our country.

“According to the Country Brand Index report, the United States ranks #1 in brand image but remains in the bottom half of countries for ‘ease of travel’ to and within the country.

... It’s time for an entry process that is the envy of the world in its use of technology and efficient screening. And it’s time to welcome people to our shores by passing the Travel Promotion Act and promoting America as a premier travel destination.

“Our industry can create jobs and strengthen America’s image in the world. The onus is on policymakers to work with this industry, tap into the global demand and welcome millions of new visitors to our great country.”

For the full survey Click here

It is sad, but foreign EVERY guest except for Canadians complain about how hard it is to vacation in the US. And our guests love our resort.

Our government has to wake up and stop destroying the foreign tourism market.

So no matter where in the world you are, you deserve a fun vacation.

We are the most mainstream nudist resort in the US and perfect for couples trying topless or nude sunbathing for the first time.

For more information about our resort, the Terra Cotta Inn clothing optional resort and spa, visit our site at http://sunnyfun.com

Or give us a call at 800-786-6938.

Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/nudist_resorts

We hope to see you soon in sunny Palm Springs!

Nude vacations very popular this summer

10% of Americans want nude vacations this summer according to recent survey

That is a pretty high percent. I know we have received more phone calls, e-mails, and bookings from first timers than ever before. This will probably the best year we have ever had.

Now I know many other nudist resorts have been struggling. Part of the difference is we are the only nudist resort that caters to couples on vacation out west. We are busy 7 days a week, not just being a weekend getaway like everyone else. Thus our guests cancelled their European, Hawaiian, and Caribbean vacations this year and stayed with us as we are the best value nudist resort in the US.

Another part of the survey showed 50% of Americans wanted a beach vacation especially in Florida.

It always cracks me up that people want to go to Florida in the summer or fall. It is the RAINIEST state in the nation and in the summer 3 of the 10 rainiest cities in the US are Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. Florida is best from December until April. After that it is just hot, humid, buggy, and rainy.

However, the tourism marketing machinery hums along fine in Florida convincing people who don't know any better that the rainiest state in the nation is the Sunshine state.

AANR does a great job on pr and sharing their findings with members. This story came from an AANR mass e-mailing. So thank you very much.

Here it is:

"Vacationers are looking for great scenery
Posted: July 6, 2008

A recent survey by the National Leisure Travel Monitor revealed this snapshot of how Americans planned to vacation this summer:

» 70 percent seek beautiful scenery.

» 67 percent desire to go to a place they've never visited.

» 50 percent want a beach experience, particularly in Florida.

» 40 percent want to stay at a hotel with a "casually elegant" atmosphere.

» 33 percent like theme parks.

» 20 percent want to go fishing, gambling or to a spa.

» 10 percent said they'd be interested in a nude recreation experience..."

The story came from Indystar.com on July 6th, 2008

And if you are looking for a fun vacation where you can try topless or nude sunbathing for the first time in one of the most beautiful cities in America, Palm Springs, California give us a call at 800-786-6938. Visit our site at http://sunnyfun.com

Hope to see you in sunny Palm Springs, the sunniest city in America!