Laura Orleans
Working Waterfront Festival
P.O. Box 6553
New Bedford, MA  02742-6553

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:  Laura Orleans, Director, 508-993-8894, info@workingwaterfrontfestival.org

New Bedford, MA, July 10, 2007—The American Bus Association (ABA) recently announced that the Working Waterfront Festival, to be held on September 22 & 23, 2007, has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2007 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that the Working Waterfront Festival offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, said ABA.

With the release of the American Bus Association’s 2007 Top 100 Events in North America, ABA celebrates 25 years of the Top 100 Events.  What began as a way for motorcoach operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries has grown to one of the most sought-after lists by travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public.

“The attractiveness of the Working Waterfront Festival as a don’t-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for New Bedford,” said Peter J. Pantuso, ABA’s president and CEO. “The real news here is that the Working Waterfront Festival has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives New Bedford an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners.”

According to studies recently completed by researchers at The George Washington University and Dunham and Associates, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave from US$5,000 to more than US$13,000 in a local destination’s economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes. 

“Simply put,” said Pantuso, “motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer. That’s why the Working Waterfront Festival is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay.”

ABA’s 2007 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected the Working Waterfront Festival from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and convention and visitors bureaus. Judges considered the event’s broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria.  The Top 100 Events list is available online at www.buses.org. 

The Working Waterfront Festival is a family friendly, educational celebration of New England’s commercial fishing industry.  The FREE festival features live maritime music, fishermen’s contests, fresh seafood, vessel tours, author readings, cooking demonstrations, kid’s activities and more.  It all takes place in New Bedford, Massachusetts, America’s #1 fishing port, on the fourth full weekend of September.  Navigate to us at www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org.
 
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