HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-05-2009 - 4gORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 5, 2009
Action Agenda
Item No. 1{- - q
SUBJECT: National Travel and Tourism Week
DEPARTMENT: Visitor's Bureau PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
Background Information on National
Travel and Tourism Week
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patty Griffin, Communications Director,
Visitor's Bureau, 968-2060
PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of May 9 through 17, 2009 as National Travel and Tourism
Week in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: National Travel and Tourism Week was established in 1983 when the U.S.
Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May each year.
The week is designed to promote greater public awareness of the powerful economic, social,
and cultural importance of travel and tourism through local events and celebrations. The
national theme for this year is "Discover Great American Traditions".
The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board made the decision to increase local
awareness of the positive impact of tourism with local residents through a National Travel and
Tourism Week promotion. The Visitors Bureau encourages everyone to be a tourist in your own
backyard and appreciate the tremendous economic impact of tourism on Orange County.
Patty Griffin, the Visitors Bureau Communications Director, will be present at the meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the proclamation
designating the week of May 9 through 17, 2009 as National Travel and Tourism Week in
Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation on behalf of the Board.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK
May 9-17, 2009
WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry in Orange County is vital to our economic
stability and growth and contributes substantially to our cultural and social well being;
and
WHEREAS, travel benefits every citizen by substantially enhancing our personal growth
and education while promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation of Orange
County's history, geography and culture; and
WHEREAS, tourism is a growth industry in Orange County generating $147.55 million
in expenditures in 2007 - an increase of 7.2 percent over the previous year's figures -
ranking the county 24th in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties according
to the United States Travel Association; and
WHEREAS, state and local tax revenues from travel to Orange County amounted to
$10.85 million in 2007, representing an $85 tax saving to each County resident; and
WHEREAS, more than 1,740 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel
and tourism in 2007; and
WHEREAS, travel generated a $28.62 million payroll in 2007; and
WHEREAS, our area attractions, welcome centers and tours hosted more than 1.76
million visitors in 2008;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, recognize the
efforts of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau and do hereby proclaim May 9
- 17, 2009 as NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK in Orange County, with
the theme DISCOVER GREAT AMERICAN TRADITONS. Let's discover and
appreciate Orange County's great tourism traditions which illustrate the importance of
tourism to our community. Travel Matters in Orange County.
This the 5th day of May, 2009.
Valerie P. Foushee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK
May 9-17, 2009
WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry in Orange County is vital to our economic
stability and growth and contributes substantially to our cultural and social well being;
and
WHEREAS, travel benefits every citizen by substantially enhancing our personal growth
and education while promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation of Orange
County's history, geography and culture; and
WHEREAS, tourism is a growth industry in Orange County generating $147.55 million
in expenditures in 2007 - an increase of 7.2 percent over the previous year's figures -
ranking the county 24th in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties according
to the United States Travel Association; and
WHEREAS, state and local tax revenues from travel to Orange County amounted to
$10.85 million in 2007, representing an $85 tax saving to each County resident; and
WHEREAS, more than 1,740 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel
and tourism in 2007; and
WHEREAS, travel generated a $28.62 million payroll in 2007; and
WHEREAS, our area attractions, welcome centers and tours hosted more than 1.76
million visitors in 2008;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, recognize the
efforts of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau and do hereby proclaim May 9
- 17, 2009 as NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK in Orange County, with
the theme DISCOVER GREAT AMERICAN TRADITONS. Let's discover and
appreciate Orange County's great tourism traditions which illustrate the importance of
tourism to our community. Travel Matters in Orange County.
This the 5th day of May, 2009.
71~~~
Valerie P. Foushee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners