Shown, left to right, Paul Miller, General Manager, Branson Tourism Center, Milton and Doris Hughes from Ashland, Kansas and Lianne and Larry Milton co-owners of the Branson Tourism Center. The Hughes had just been informed they had purchased the two millionth ticket that Branson Tourism Center has sold and that, in honor of the occasion, their entire Branson vacation package was being paid for by the Branson Tourism Center. In addition, the next ten customers checking in to pick up their vacation packets each received a $100.00 Branson Tourism Center Gift Certificate.

With the check-in of Milton and Doris Hughes at its office on the morning of November 4, Branson Tourism Center (BTC) has done something that few, if any, providers of Branson travel services has ever done, sold over two million Branson show and attraction tickets. Although excited about selling two million tickets, the co-owner of Branson Tourism Center, Lianne Milton was equally excited about the way the two millionth ticket was sold.

That excitement stems from the fact that the two millionth ticket was sold the same way Branson Tourism Center (BTC) sold its very first ticket. Lianne said, “Even before our first ticket was sold our philosophy was to build BTC through personal relationships with our vendors and customers to ensure that the customer had a great experience while in Branson. We were going to do that by providing them with the best Branson information, value, and personal travel services.”

She continues, “The fact that we have sold over two million Branson show and attraction tickets by passionately following that philosophy is exciting, not only from the number of tickets sold perspective, but in terms of all the great personal Branson experiences of families and individuals that the sales of those tickets represent.” Milton points out that the relationships BTC has built up with its customers over the years because of that philosophy has played a significant role in reaching the two million ticket milestone.

“But it is a team effort,” she said. “We are so thankful to be able to work with vendors and a staff of professionals who are passionately concerned and committed to each Branson visitor.” Milton explained that Branson has many quality shows, attractions and lodging facilities and the relationships that BTC has built up with them over the years enables them to work together to provide Branson guests with the best value, show seat and lodging choices and customer service.

Milton points out that Branson Tourism Center’s “flag ship” product is a personal, no service charge, concierge type service where potential customers call 1-800-875-1550 and talk with a trained BTC Travel Specialist who will assist them. The website supporting Branson Tourism Center is www.BransonTourismCenter.Com.

She continues to say that another BTC website, www.BransonOnTheWeb.com, is offered as an additional BTC service for those customers who want to make their own travel arrangement on the internet without having to talk with anyone. Milton stresses that even on this site there is a toll free number that may be used to get help and that whether purchasing tickets on line or by phone customers get the same prices, benefits, and personalized customer service for which Branson Tourism Center is noted.

Traffic headed east on portions of the famed Branson Strip (State Highway 76) in Branson from Monday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 30 should expect a lane change from the east bound lane into the center turn lane during the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) said the rerouting is part of a $680,000 project being funded with stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment to build 393 sidewalk ramps meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A drive down Highway 76 the morning of October 26, by a representative of the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging, indicates that the lane change will cause minimal if any inconvenience to Branson visitors. Currently the project is in the final stages, is located on the south side of Highway 76 east of its intersection with Fall Creek Road and is proceeding eastward towards its intersection with Roark Valley Road. This area is well out of the Branson Strip’s primary theatre and entertainment area.

Although the current location of the project and its hours of operation probably make an alternative route unnecessary, the completion of the Fall Creek Road extension north to its end at the intersection of Roark Valley Road provides a convenient alternate north/south route that will avoid the project area on Highway 76. Exit Highway 65 onto Highway 248 and proceed west to its intersection with James F. Epps Highway at McDonalds. Turn south on Epps and follow it south through its intersection with Roark Valley Road where it turns into Fall Creek Road on the south side of that intersection. Continue south on Fall Creek Road until its intersection with Highway 76. That intersection will be west of the project area.

According to the initial MODOT press releases, the project should be completed by November 20.