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The American Bus Association (ABA) just announced that World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed (to be held September 25, 2009 – July 5, 2010) and Riverfest Music Festival (held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 - 30, 2010), have been designated as two of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2010 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed and Riverfest Music Festival offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, said ABA.

With the release of the American Bus Association's 2010 Top 100 Events in North America, ABA celebrates 28 years of naming the Top 100 Events. What began as a way for motorcoach operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries has grown to one of the most sought-after lists by travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public.

"The attractiveness of World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed and Riverfest Music Festival as don't-miss entertainment values is only part of why they were selected this year," said Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS, ABA's president and CEO. "The real news here is that these two events have been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives Little Rock, Arkansas an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners." 

According to studies recently completed by researchers at The George Washington University and Dunham and Associates, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave from $5,000 to more than $13,000 in a local destination's economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

"Little Rock is truly making a mark nationally by being recognized for hosting two of the top 100 events in the coming year and we are very excited about that. These events, without a doubt, are a huge asset to our destination and will absolutely give a boost to our local economy, not only through motorcoach tours, but also via additional leisure travelers and local residents alike,” stated Dan O’Byrne, CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.

ABA's 2010 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed and the Riverfest Music Festival from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and convention and visitors bureaus. Judges considered the event's broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria.

The Top 100 Events list is available online at www.buses.org

For more information on World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed visit http://pharaoh.arkarts.com/

For more information about Riverfest Music Festival visit www.riverfestarkansas.com

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