BRANSON, Mo., July 9, 2014 – With the delivery of its 4 millionth ticket to Don and Marsha Meeker on July 2, 2014, the Branson Tourism Center (BTC) has reached a milestone that very few, if any, sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets have ever reached. “We are thrilled about the sale of our 4 millionth Branson show and attraction ticket and all that it represents,” said, Lianne Milton, CEO and Co-Founder of the Branson Tourism Center with her husband Larry. “From the sale of our very first ticket, our philosophy, was to market all the wonderful things that make Branson so special and to help people have a great Branson experience by providing them with the very best combination of Branson information, personal service and value available. We did not want to sell ‘discount vacations,’ but rather ‘great vacations’ at a discount,” she added.
Milton says that her primary excitement with the sale of BTC’s 4 millionth ticket is the fruition of that philosophy and its impact on hundreds of thousands of Branson visitors and Branson’s economy. “It’s humbling to think of the millions of wonderful lifetime memories for Branson visitors and the nearly billion dollars in economic benefit to Branson’s shows, attractions, restaurants, lodging establishments and other businesses that the marketing and sale of those 4 million tickets represents,” she said.
Milton credits the trusted relationships that BTC has built up over the years with its customers and vendors along with its unique free one call personal concierge type service, where potential customers can call 1-800-875-1550 and talk with a trained BTC Travel Planner who will assist them in planning the perfect Branson trip, as major factors in reaching the 4 million ticket milestone. She stresses that not only is BTC fortunate enough to be able to market and sell a great product like Branson, but it is blessed to be able to work with a staff of professionals and vendors who are passionately dedicated and committed to providing Branson visitors with the best customer service, value, show seats and lodging available.
“BTC typically sells its Branson travel services, tickets, lodging, and makes customer reservations well in advance of their actual arrival in Branson. The sale of its 4 millionth ticket to Don and Marsha Meeker from Remus, Michigan was no exception. They became the 4 millionth ticket customer when they placed their order by phone on June 6, 2014, but it has been a closely guarded secret, even from them, until their check in at BTC on July 2nd,” said Tammy Johnson, the General Manager for the Branson Tourism Center.
The Meekers, first time Branson visitors, found out they had purchased the 4 millionth ticket as they checked in at Branson Tourism Center’s Reception area. It was a total surprise as they were suddenly surrounded by hundreds of blue and white balloons falling from the ceiling, enthusiastic clapping and cheers and a warm Branson welcome from the Miltons and Dave Hamner, co-owner and star of Hamners Unbelievable Variety Show, one of the five shows on their Branson itinerary.
In celebration of their purchase of the 4 millionth ticket, the Meekers received their Branson vacation as a gift from BTC as well as other gifts. In addition, all BTC customers who were in the reception area checking in at the time of the announcement received a $100.00 BTC Gift card.
“As we move on toward the sale of our 5 millionth ticket we will do so with the same innovation, heart and spirit that has guided us from the sale of our very first ticket,” Milton said. “To make sure, that from the planning of their Branson trip to its end, our customers have a great Branson experience that will create great lifetime memories and make them want to come back to Branson again and again.”
Branson Tourism Center is one of Branson’s largest providers of Branson travel services and employs close to 100 people. It is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau of Southwest Missouri with an A+ rating. Among other organizations, it is a member of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, Better Business Bureau, American Society of Travel Agents, American Bus Association, and the Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association. The Branson Tourism Center may be reached by calling 1-800-875-1550..
