Although it is the quintessential American tourism destination, Branson does not lack for international flair. In addition to the shows highlighting aspects of Russian, Irish, Chinese and other world cultures, the city’s tourism industry celebrates global traditions with a special event each spring.
The Branson Area Receptive Association, a group of tourism businesses, has created a program called “See the World in Branson,” in which participants showcase selected international destinations through decoration, costumes and other features from April 1 until May 6.
Each hotel, restaurant, theater and retail venue that participates in the program picks a foreign country to represent and decorates according to their own creativity. The hotel representing Belgium, for instance, celebrates with flavored Belgian waffles each Wednesday night and distributes copies of the Lord’s Prayer in Flemish to each guest room. Another hotel, representing France, created a tribute to the Louvre, complete with an art walk through the property that featured works from the owners’ private collection as well as artwork by local Branson artists.
For the first time in 2012, “See the World in Branson” will also feature a two-day music festival, with entertainers from 20 Branson shows and an international marketplace.
