Visit Savannah

Visit Savannah
Name	Visit Savannah
Type	Tourism promotion agency
Founded	1980s
Headquarters	Savannah, Georgia
Region served	Chatham County, Georgia
Website	Visit Savannah

Visit Savannah is the official destination marketing organization promoting tourism to Savannah, Georgia. It partners with local institutions, attractions, and event organizers to market Savannah Historic District, River Street (Savannah), and surrounding coastal destinations. The organization coordinates with regional stakeholders to attract visitors to festivals, historic sites, and hospitality venues across Chatham County, Georgia and the Georgia coast.

Overview

The organization markets Savannah as a destination via partnerships with entities such as the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Savannah Convention Center, and regional hospitality associations. It produces promotional materials highlighting landmarks like Forsyth Park, Bonaventure Cemetery, Wormsloe Historic Site, and cultural institutions including the Telfair Museums, SCAD Museum of Art, and Savannah College of Art and Design. Cooperative efforts extend to transportation partners like Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and cruise lines that call at the Port of Savannah (Garden City Terminal). The agency tracks metrics used by industry groups such as the U.S. Travel Association and engages with media outlets including Southern Living and National Geographic to increase visibility.

History

Formed amid broader trends in municipal tourism development following examples set by organizations like the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation and Visit Orlando, the agency evolved from a local visitors bureau into a professional destination marketing organization. Early campaigns referenced Savannah’s role in events such as the Savannah Remembers commemorations and highlighted connections to figures tied to the city’s past like James Oglethorpe and Juliette Gordon Low. In the 1990s and 2000s it expanded efforts to promote heritage tourism tied to sites such as Savannah Historic District and preservation initiatives supported by the Historic Savannah Foundation. More recent decades saw campaigns aligning with cultural partners including Savannah Film Festival organizers and SCAD to tap creative-economy audiences.

Attractions and Landmarks

Promotional materials emphasize the ensemble of urban squares exemplified by Johnson Square (Savannah), Chippewa Square, and Monterey Square (Savannah), as well as civic landmarks such as Mercer Williams House Museum and Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace. Natural sites promoted include Tybee Island, Skidaway Island State Park, and the tidal marshes along the Ogeechee River, often in cooperation with conservation organizations like the Georgia Audubon Society. Historic house museums and plantations featured in itineraries include Wormsloe Historic Site and Bonaventure Cemetery, while maritime heritage is showcased through venues such as the Savannah Riverfront" and interpretive partners like the Savannah History Museum. The agency also highlights architectural works by figures associated with the city, including homes linked to architects preserved by the Savannah Historic District Board of Review.

Culture and Events

Programming promoted by the organization links to annual events such as the Savannah Music Festival, Savannah Film Festival, and the city’s longstanding St. Patrick's Day in Savannah celebrations. Collaborative marketing often features performance venues like the Mercury Theatre and festival partners including the Savannah Jazz Festival and Savannah African Art Museum initiatives. Seasonal tourism initiatives align with cultural institutions such as the Telfair Academy and community festivals hosted by groups like the Coastal Jazz Association. The agency has worked with heritage organizations to promote historical commemorations tied to events like Siege of Savannah remembrances and interpretive programming at sites connected to the American Civil War.

Accommodation and Dining

The agency’s promotional listings range from boutique properties in restored buildings within the Savannah Historic District to larger hotels near the Savannah Convention Center and resorts on Tybee Island. It catalogs bed-and-breakfasts, inns such as those in the Historic District of Savannah, and chain hotels represented by brands that operate regionally. Culinary marketing emphasizes restaurants that reflect Lowcountry traditions, spotlighting chefs and establishments recognized by outlets such as the James Beard Foundation and featured in guides like Bon Appétit. Food tours promoted through the organization partner with local purveyors, markets like City Market (Savannah), and culinary events tied to establishments around River Street (Savannah).

Transportation and Accessibility

The organization coordinates visitor information about access via Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, intercity rail connections historically served at Savannah station (Georgia), and roadway access along Interstate 16 and U.S. Route 17 in Georgia. Cruise and freight operations at the Port of Savannah (Garden City Terminal) shape some tourism opportunities, while local transit options include services run by the Chatham Area Transit system. Visitor resources reference connections to regional destinations such as Hilton Head Island and Brunswick, Georgia, and provide guidance for travelers arriving via operators like regional shuttle companies and Amtrak routes that intersect with the Southeast corridor.

Category:Tourism in Georgia (U.S. state)