Agenda - 05-03-2007-3a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background on the History of National Tourism Week The 2007 Celebration and Message: The 24`" Annual National Tourism Week is sponsored by the Travel Industry Association of America and will be celebrated May 12-20, 2007. The nine- day recognition provides cities, states and travel-related businesses nationwide the opportunity to collectively champion the power of travel. The theme-"Travel & Tourism: America's Front Door"-illustrates the importance of travel to America's image and suggests its impact as a leading industry for economic growth. Roger Dow, President and CEO of the Travel Industry Association, defined it by saying: "I love the image represented by the National Tourism Week theme. It says `You are welcome here.' We want people from near and far to discover America and come to know our people, regions and attractions." "Expressing the industry's economic impact is of great importance, but let's also recognize the lasting impression created by a warm welcome and memorable experience. The theme and accompanying resources serve to unify Tourism Week celebrations across the country and highlight travel's far-reaching benefits," Dow added. Tourism generated $654 billion in direct travel expenditures and 7.5 million direct travel- generatedjobs in 2005. Tourism Works for America. 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 (TIA) accepted responsibility for and absorbed all Tourism Works for America activities. Today this premier public advocacy program represents the single TIA 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 Tourism Week Promotion. The plan includes requesting the Orange County Board of Commissioners to proclaim the week of May 12-20, 2007 as National Tourism Week. The Bureau will participate in a Tourism Legislative Day in Raleigh on May 15. We will send media releases promoting the impact of visitors on our area and to encourage local residents to be tourists in Orange County. Our www.chocvb.org website will have a Tourism Week page. Finally, the Visitors Center at 501 W. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill will display a banner for tourism week and distribute postcards.