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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-01-2008-3bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 1, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. .~ - SUBJECT: National Tourism Week DEPARTMENT: Visitor's Bureau PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No ATTACHMENT(S): Proclamation Background Information on National Tourism Week INFORMATION CONTACT: Patty Griffin, Communications Director, Visitor's Bureau, 968-2060 PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of May 10 through 18, 2008 as National Tourism Week in Orange County. BACKGROUND:. 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. 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 theme of the 2008 National Tourism Week is "DISCOVER GREAT AMERICAN TRADITIONS". The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board made the decision to increase awareness of the impact of tourism with local residents through a National Tourism Week Promotion. The Visitors Bureau encourages all to not only be tourists in your own backyard, but to 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: There is no financial impact associated with considering the proclamation. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign designating the week of May 10 through 18, 2008 as National Tourism Week in Orange County. 2 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION May 10-18, 2008 WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry in Orange County is vital to our economic stability and growth, and it contributes substantially to our cultural and social well being; and WHEREAS, travel benefits every person 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 $137.6 million in expenditures in 2006 - an increase of 8.2 percent over the previous year's figures - ranking the County 24th in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties according to the Travel Industry Association of America; and WHEREAS, state and local tax revenues from travel to Orange County amounted to $10.56 million in 2006, representing an $85 tax saving to each County resident; and WHEREAS, more than 1,710 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel and tourism in 2006; and WHEREAS, travel generated a $27.62 million payroll in 2006; and WHEREAS, our area attractions, welcome centers and tours hosted more than 1.68 million visitors in 2007; 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 10 - 18, 2008 as NATIONAL 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. This the 1St day of May, 2008. Barry Jacobs, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners Background on the History of National Tourism Week The 2008 Celebration and Message: The 25th Annual National Tourism Week is sponsored by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) and will be celebrated May 10-18, 2008. 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. "From baseball games and Broadway shows to `The Great American Road Trip,' our collective memories are filled with places and activities traditionally associated with travel," said Roger J. Dow, President and CEO of TIA. "For our 25th celebration of National Tourism Week, TIA is presenting cities and states with a theme and resources to help them interpret and celebrate the defining assets of their destinations." Travel and Tourism nationally is a $740 billion industry with 7.5 million direct travel- generatedjobs in 2006. 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 10-18, 2008 as National Tourism Week.. The Bureau will participate in a Tourism Legislative Day in Raleigh on May 13. 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. Our www.visitchapelhill.or~ website will highlight Tourism Week. Finally, the Visitors Center at 501 W. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill will. display a banner for tourism week and distribute postcards.