Agenda - 05-05-2009 - 4g - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background on the History of National Travel and Tourism Week The 2009Celebration and Message: The 26th Annual National Travel and Tourism Week is sponsored by the newly named U.S. Travel Association and will be celebrated May 9-17, 2009. The nine-day recognition provides cities, states and travel-related businesses nationwide the opportunity to collectively champion the power of travel. The theme-"Discover Great American Traditions"-encourages travel to American locales and highlights the role that tourism plays in discovering the icons of a destination. This year more than ever during these challenging economic times, it is important to recognize the role that travel and tourism plays in our nation's and Orange County's economy. This year's campaign is highlighted by the additional tagline "Travel Matters," as we salute the power of travel. Travel and Tourism nationally is a $740 billion industry with 7.7 million direct travel-generated jobs in 2007. The History: National Tourism Week was established in 1983, when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May 1984. In a White House Ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with "the appropriate ceremonies and activities." Industry leaders and public relations professionals from the major travel and tourism trade associations were the first volunteers to manage the annual event. By 1986 industry leaders had formed a permanent coalition, which later became the Tourism Works for America Council. They opened a full time office and expanded the concept into ayear-round tourism awareness program. By then hundreds of communities across the nation were participating in the celebration and more participate each year. In 1998, the Travel Industry Association of America (now named the U.S. Travel Association) accepted responsibility for and absorbed all Tourism Works for America activities. Today this premier public advocacy program represents the single USTA activity that helps both members and non-members push tourism awareness to its most basic level-the grassroots. In Orange County: The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board is again looking to increase awareness of the impact of tourism with local residents through a National Travel and Tourism Week Promotion. The plan includes requesting the Orange County Board of Commissioners to proclaim the week of May 9-17, 2009 as National Travel and Tourism Week. The Bureau will participate in a Tourism Legislative Day in Raleigh on May 12. We will send media releases promoting the impact of visitors on our area and to encourage local residents to be tourists in Orange County and discover our great tourism traditions, all while noting the economic importance of travel. Our www.visitchapelhill.org website will highlight Tourism Week.