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Jonathan Wingate, left, a London-based journalist with the BBC, strums a few chords on one of the guitars sold at Tupelo Hardware Co. as he and fellow English journalists Robert Spellman, center, and Brian Hancill visit the store where Elvis Presley got his first guitar. The three were part of a large group of European travel writers who toured Tupelo on Thursday in advance of what would be Elvis' 75th birthday in January. (C. Todd Sherman)
Thirty-six journalists from Europe toured the city Thursday as part of a Memphis-Tupelo trip in advance of what would be Elvis Presley's 75th birthday in January. The writers, hailing from countries such as France, England, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, spent the day at the birthplace and visited Elvis-related sites in town, such as Tupelo Hardware and the Ice House.
The trip was paid for by several tourism groups in Mississippi and Tennessee, including the Mississippi Development Authority and the Tupelo Convention amp& Visitors Bureau.
The hope is that the writers, who work for newspapers, magazines and wire services that reach hundreds of thousands of readers, will return to their home countries and publish stories that will get more foreign tourists to visit Tupelo and Memphis.
According to several of the writers, Tupelo accomplished its mission in presenting a compelling reason to visit.
"You make everything right. Now we just have to transfer it to our readers that you do everything right and they have to come to you," said Marcel Auermann, a travel writer for Heilbronner Stimme, a 100,000-circulation newspaper in Germany.
The conclusion is no surprise to David Wade, the former managing director of UK-based Arena Travel, who first visited Tupelo in 1972.
"It's the best America has to offer," he said during a reception Thursday night at the CVB.
Over the years, he said some of the participants on his tours didn't want to visit Tupelo as part of the trip, but "when they come here, they fall in love with the people, the birthplace."
The birthplace has developed over the years in a way that is "classy, not cheap and not commercialized," he said.
It's a good distinction from the glitz at Graceland and a strong draw for European tourists, Wade said.
'Keep it small'
Lieven Mathys, chief editor of The Sunday in Belgium, added "It's very important to keep it like it is. It's very authentic."
He said Tupelo is good at depicting the story of the American dream by showing Elvis' poor beginnings in a small town.
"You have to keep it small," Mathys said.
He isn't alone in his thoughts. During dinner at Vanelli's, a table of French journalists advised Tupelo to "stay natural."
Said Benoit Gaudibert of L'Est Republicain, a 200,000-circulation paper, "The people who come here want to see the real city and the people. Don't change anything."
He cited his experience visiting with the owners of Main Street Vintage Guitar, saying the shop and the people were "fantastic" and a "very nice" addition to downtown.
Other journalists said it would be a bad idea to add more Elvis signage and Elvis attractions throughout the city.
None of the journalists had any complaints about their trip, but some said there is room for Tupelo to improve as a destination for the international tourist.
Philippe Chevilley, a writer for French economic newspaper Les Echos, said he would like to see more coffee shops and bars within walking distance in downtown. He'd also like to see more boutique hotels and quaint bed and breakfast establishments.
Other journalists recommended an Elvis-related music show downtown. However, some of the journalists frowned at the idea, saying it would commercialize the area.
From a tourism standpoint, David Nicholson said the birthplace needs to have something at the end of every day, such as a musical or dance performance, to get tourists to stay at the attraction longer. Nicholson lives just outside of London and has a contract with Mississippi and Memphis to market the areas to British tourists.
"The biggest selling point for Tupelo is Elvis," Nicholson said. "Same for Memphis. The trick is what else? ... So often it takes somebody from the outside to realize what you have."
He said the good news is the people he sends to Tupelo aren't disappointed. He does customer satisfaction surveys and Tupelo consistently receives a 98 percent rating, with tourists citing the friendliness and hospitality.
"People really appreciate it," he said.
Added Arturo Agnes, a writer for The Sun in London, "Everyone is polite and says 'thank you, you're welcome.' It's spooky in a nice kind of way."
Contact Carlie Kollath at (662) 678-1598 or carlie.kollath@djournal.com.
From the international travel writer's point of view: Tupelo's tourism strengths
- Birthplace's authenticity
- Non-commercialized feel
- City's hospitality
- Citizens' friendliness
- Unique downtown shops
- Tupelo Automobile Museum
- The Mall at Barnes Crossing
- Elvis birthplace chapel
Ways Tupelo could improve for tourists
- More coffee shops, bars within walking distance of each other downtown
- Live music, theater or dance performances daily at the birthplace and possibly downtown
- Add boutique hotels or quaint bed and breakfasts
QUOTES OF INTEREST:
"You make everything right, now we just have to transfer it to our readers that you do everything right and they have to come to you." Marcel Auermann, a travel writer for Heilbronner Stimme, a 100,000-circulation newspaper in Germany.
"When you are here, it's more than just Elvis," said Arturo Agnes, a writer for The Sun in London. "(Elvis) is just the excuse to come here. There's a lot of soul."
"To me, it's a typical small Southern city. If you have an eye for America, there is a lot to see here." Paul van Riel, a freelance photographer based in Amsterdam who sells his work internationally.
"You want to keep it genuine and real. Don't make it any bigger. Quality not quantity." Paul van Riel, a freelance photographer based in Amsterdam who sells his work internationally.
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