Over 400 Events Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week in America

From coast to coast, destination marketers in over 400 U.S. cities planned major events to mark National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), held this year between May 2 and May 10.

Now in its 32nd year, NTTW is the annual salute to travel in America.

NTTW, established by a congressional resolution in 1983 and first celebrated the following year, focuses national attention on the many benefits of travel—economic, cultural and personal. This year’s theme, “Travel is __________”, invites 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. 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,” said Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association’s president and CEO. “NTTW is an opportunity for travel stakeholders to speak firsthand to their local elected officials about the importance of travel. 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.”

Visit Orlando, for example, is hosting a luncheon with national hero “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed a disabled commercial plane on the Hudson River. Sullenberger will share his inspirational story while showcasing how preparation, leadership and focus are the keys to overcoming any obstacle.

Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp is hosting a “Visit Music City” luncheon honoring its front-line travel industry workers, or “Hitmakers,” with performances by Mikky Ekko and music industry mogul Ken Levitan.

Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau is marking its 50th anniversary with a free after-work concert on May 7 to highlight the impact of travel and tourism on the city.

Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering sidewalk sales every day during the month of May at the Louisville Visitors Center while adding a new feature to this year’s celebration, the #LouisvilleLove photo challenge.

In 2014, travel generated more than $2.1 trillion in economic activity, with nearly $928 billion spent by travelers. Travel now supports 15 million American jobs, including eight million good-paying jobs in the industry itself and seven million across all other sectors of the economy.

The Senate on Wednesday passed S.Res.170, sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), lauding the goals and ideals of National Travel and Tourism Week.