FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2002

JENNIFER BOES, 302.672.6811

(Newark, Del.) -- Tourism industry representatives will get a preview of new advertising materials featuring Delaware's new brand at the Delaware Tourism Office's (DTO) Annual Marketing Outlook Forum, Thursday, May 9 at the Christiana Hilton. The Forum, which will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will also include the presentation of local and national travel trends and statistics. The cost to attend is $20 per person and includes lunch. To register, call DTO at 866.2.VISIT.DE or 302.672.6841.

The brand, which focuses on the phrase, "Delaware: It's Good Being First," was unveiled in October 2001 at DTO's annual Delaware Tourism Conference. Its official launch this May and June will include cable television advertising, print ads, and a new web site design. All will tout Delaware's offerings as a regional tourism destination.

Julie Miro, DTO Marketing Director, says, "We are very excited about the launch. This is a first for our state -- the first time we've had such large scale advertising exposure and the first time the state has ever used television as a medium for promotion. We believe the launch will generate a great deal of interest in our state as a year-round tourism destination."

National travel trends will be presented by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). State and county tourism statistics will be presented by the Delaware Economic Development Office's Business Research division.

Cheryl Lahman, Director of the Delaware Tourism Office, says, "The Marketing Outlook Forum provides access to the latest tourism-related statistics and trends. This information helps us, as an industry, better direct our marketing and advertising dollars."

The spring launch will include 16 full-page ads that will run regionally in major magazines such as Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, Good Housekeeping, and InStyle. The ads are expected to reach well over 3.5 million readers. A Delaware tourism-themed television commercial will air locally and regionally on stations such as CNN, Lifetime, Discovery and A&E. The new web site design can be accessed via www.visitdelaware.com.

The Delaware Tourism Office, 99 Kings Highway in Dover, Del., a division of the Delaware Economic Development Office, promotes tourism and economic growth in Delaware and works to preserve the state's cultural and natural resources. For more information, visit www.visitdelaware.com or call 866.2.VISIT.DE.