Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2 <br /> NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION <br /> May 4-12, 2013 <br /> WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry in Orange County is vital to our economic <br /> stability and growth, and the industry contributes substantially to our culture and quality <br /> of life; and <br /> WHEREAS, travel and tourism to Orange County, brings more than two million annual <br /> visitors to our communities — families and business travelers who frequent our galleries, <br /> performing arts halls, farms and Farmers' Markets; festivals, parades and sporting <br /> venues; and <br /> WHEREAS, overall travel to Orange County provides significant economic benefits to <br /> our tourism industry including hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping and retail <br /> establishments, transportation operators, and others; and <br /> WHEREAS, tourism is a growth industry in Orange County generating $156.82 million <br /> in expenditures in 2011 — an increase of 8.8 percent over the previous year's figures — <br /> ranking Orange County 24th in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties <br /> according to the U.S. Travel Association; and <br /> WHEREAS, tourism provides high-quality experiences for visitors, strengthens Orange <br /> County communities and develops tourism-related livelihoods; and <br /> WHEREAS, state and local tax revenues from travel to Orange County amounted to <br /> $11.64 million in 2011, representing an $86 tax saving to each County resident; and <br /> WHEREAS, more than 1,650 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel <br /> and tourism in 2011; and <br /> WHEREAS, travel generated a $28.72 million payroll in Orange County in 2011 ; and <br /> WHEREAS, our area attractions, welcome centers and tours hosted more than 2 million <br /> visitors in 2012; <br /> NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, recognize the <br /> efforts of the Orange County Visitors Bureau and do hereby proclaim May 4-12, 2013 as <br /> NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK throughout Orange County, with the theme <br /> TRAVEL EFFECT which proves that along with its economic benefits, travel and <br /> tourism have the power to improve relationships and to create lasting family memories. <br /> Let's discover and appreciate Orange County's great heritage, which illustrates the <br /> importance of tourism to our County. <br /> This the 7th day of May, 2013. <br /> Barry Jacobs, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />