Tennessee Reaches Out to Hispanic Population to Increase Tourism

Tennessee’s tourism department began advertising in Spanish-language newspapers for the first time this year and plans to roll out a Spanish version of its website by the end of October.

“The idea is to be all inclusive,” said Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, a spokeswoman for the department. “We have multiple cultures –the census tells us that- and we know (Hispanic) culture is part of our potential market.”

The department is advertising in four Spanish-language newspapers in Tennessee and also in national magazines that are not part of the ethnic press. The ads feature a Hispanic family on an outing to an aquarium.

Ramon Cisneros, president of the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said he applauds the efforts to attract Hispanic tourists to the state.

“It’s good for people to understand that not all Hispanics are below the poverty line,” he said. “There are Hispanic doctors and professionals in almost every field, and these people go on vacation and spend money.”