National Travel and Tourism Week Underway

With more than 400 U.S. cities hosting major events, the U.S. Travel Association is reporting a record number of communities participating in this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week. Now in its 32nd year, NTTW focuses national attention on the many benefits of travel—economic, cultural and personal. This year’s theme, “Travel is __________”, invited individuals and communities to fill in the blank with what travel most means to them.

“Travel is jobs. Travel is growth. Travel is creating memories with family,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “But most of all, travel is personal, and we’ve been thrilled to see how folks have embraced this year’s theme and filled in the blank with benefits of travel that we didn’t even think of.”

Hundreds of organizations from coast to coast united to participate in the annual salute to travel in America, held this year from May 2 to 10. In California, a luncheon at the Santa Clara Convention Center will feature Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews and an update on the city’s planned Super Bowl 50 events. Visit Oakland and Visit California held a joint press conference at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater in Oakland, California. Visit Orlando (Florida) hosted a luncheon with “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed a disabled commercial plane on the Hudson River. The Nashville (Tennessee) Convention & Visitors Corp also hosted a luncheon, held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau observed NTTW by releasing an infographic that highlights the economic impact of meetings and conventions. The Louisville (Kentucky) Convention & Visitors Bureau is celebrating the entire month with daily sidewalk sales at the Louisville Visitors Center. In addition to highlighting the impact of travel and tourism in the city, the Fort Worth (Texas) Convention & Visitors Bureau is also marking its 50th anniversary with a free after-work concert on May 7.

“NTTW is an opportunity for travel stakeholders to speak firsthand to their local elected officials about the importance of travel,” Dow said. “And ultimately, both because travel is such a universal enterprise and it creates profound economic impact in every corner of the country, everyone’s a travel stakeholder.”