2012 World Choir Games Travel Packages Now Available

    CINCINNATI, OH, June 15, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cincinnati USA today announced travel packages for the 2012 World Choir Games. Cincinnati will host the "Olympics of choral music," July 4-14, when more than 360 choirs from nearly 70 countries compete in 23 categories of music at the Games. Customized World Choir Games travel packages, which include accommodations and tickets for the Games' Opening and Closing Ceremonies, are now available at http://www.2012WorldChoirGames.com/TravelPackages, or by calling 1-800-518-1181. The following packages are available:

World Choir Games Opening Ceremony Package
- A choice of 62 hotel properties throughout Cincinnati USA
- Tickets to the World Choir Games Opening Ceremonies: The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, May Festival Chorus and nine-time Grammy award-winning gospel artist, Kirk Franklin will headline this event which also includes the ringing of the Peace Bell and a performance of the Official Song of the 2012 World Choir Games; 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, U.S. Bank Arena
- Tickets to the Global Harmony Celebration Concert: Top choirs from South Africa, Hong Kong and Columbus, Ohio perform from a variety of musical genres, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 5, Cincinnati Masonic Center

World Choir Games Closing Ceremony Package
- A choice of 62 hotel properties throughout Cincinnati USA
- Tickets to the Champions Concert: Recently crowned Champions of the 2012 World Choir Games perform, 2 p.m., Saturday, July 14, Music Hall
- Tickets to the 2012 World Choir Games Closing Ceremonies: Broadway star Idina Menzel will join the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and May Festival Chorus at the Closing Ceremonies, which includes a presentation from the 2014 World Choir Games host city, the ringing of the Peace Bell, a mass choir of thousands singing together; 7 p.m., Saturday, July 14, U.S. Bank Arena

"This is the first time the United States has ever held this prestigious event. It's the largest arts and cultural event in the history of Cincinnati USA," said Julie Calvert, director of communications of the 2012 World Choir Games and vice president of communications and strategic development at the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With these affordable packages, a traveler can experience hundreds of cultures and dozens of genres of music at an easy-to-access Midwest destination."

Other Cincinnati USA travel packages include:
The Cincinnati Reds: By booking a hotel through CincinnatiUSA.com, visitors can purchase half-price Reds tickets.

A Day in Pompeii: The Exhibition invites visitors to revisit the ancient Roman City in the hours before, during and after the massive explosion of Mt. Vesuvius that buried the city in 79 A.D.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden: The Zoo introduced the all new Cat Canyon this summer - an up-close-and-personal experience with some of nature's most beautiful and fearsome creatures. The Cincinnati Zoo is the country's second oldest and has been called "The World's Sexiest Zoo" due to the high degree of success with its breeding programs.

Newport Aquarium: The blue waters of the Newport Aquarium, replete with hundreds of species of marine life, is fun and educational. For another not-to-miss experience, pay a call on Mighty Mike, the country's biggest gator outside Florida.

BB Riverboats: Leisurely drift along and enjoy the beautiful seven hills of Cincinnati USA with this Ohio River tradition. It also harkens back to a simpler time when the Queen City was the Mecca of sternwheelers. Take in a sunset dinner cruise for some of the best food on either side of the Ohio River.

Macy's Music Festival 50th Anniversary: For fifty years, the Macy's Music Festival has been one of the most dynamic and enduring music festivals in the country. This year celebrate with a CincinnatiUSA.com Buy One Get One Free package.

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: Experience the incomparable Michael Feinstein as he performs "Sinatra Under the Stars" at Riverbend Music Center.

About the World Choir Games: The World Choir Games, taking place every two years, is the signature event of INTERKULTUR, a Germany-based global organization that produces elite international choral events all over the world. The 2012 Games is expected be Cincinnati USA's largest international arts event ever with an economic impact of $73.5 million. Cincinnati USA was selected as the first U.S. city to host the World Choir Games. In more than 20 years since INTERKULTUR was established, the organization has built ties to more than 5.600 choirs and 250.000 singers from 100 nations who have taken part in the World Choir Games and INTERKULTUR's regional choir competitions.

About the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau: The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau is an aggressive sales, marketing and service organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact Hamilton County's and the City of Cincinnati's economy through convention, trade show and visitor expenditures. The travel and tourism industry traditionally has been a $3.4 billion industry in Cincinnati USA, employing 81,000 people in a variety of fields and, historically, bringing five million visitors to the region annually.

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