Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Consider them South Carolina's newest tourist attractions - linebackers in Carolina garnet and wide receivers in Clemson orange.

Last fall for the first time the state's tourism agency targeted promotional messages to ACC and SEC fans in nearby states. The Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department used news releases, social media and contacted reporters hoping to convince out-of-state fans to get off the interstates and see South Carolina attractions in addition to the games.

Agency director Duane Prosser doesn't know if other states are targeting fans but he thinks the South Carolina program was a success. Spokeswoman Dawn Dawson-House says it helped that both South Carolina and Clemson had great seasons.

Agency officials will evaluate the program to see what can be improved next season.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)