San Francisco tops 300,000 Facebook fans, pips LA, Las Vegas, New York

The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (SFCVB) received the 300,000th Facebook “fan” of its page, www.Facebook.com/onlyinSF, on December 9. Within hours of gratefully acknowledging this milestone with a “Thank you to our fans” post, more than 100 followers commented with congratulations and affectionate messages for the City by the Bay.

“Our page has been very active during the past few months, especially thanks to the Giants,” said Chris Clark, SFCVB managing director, marketing services. “Leading up to and during the World Series, we were getting close to 10,000 new fans per week.”

Appropriately located just blocks from the Facebook headquarters, the SFCVB’s use of Facebook to connect with fans stands out in the travel industry.

Facebook is just one part of the SFCVB’s social media strategy, which also employs Twitter, YouTube, and a variety of mobile vehicles. These efforts keep the destination deeply engaged with its biggest fans, and the information that results helps to expand the promotion of this popular destination.

About San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau

Founded in 1909, the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization that markets the city as a leisure, convention and business travel destination. With more than 1,500 members, the SFCVB is one of the largest membership-based tourism promotion agencies in the country. Tourism, San Francisco's largest industry, generates in excess of $8.5 billion annually for the local economy. The SFCVB business offices are located at 201 Third St., Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103. The Bureau also operates the Visitor Information Center at Hallidie Plaza, 900 Market Street at the corner of Powell and Market streets.