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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-03-2007-3aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 3, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ~' "C~ SUBJECT: National Tourism Week Proclamation DEPARTMENT: Visitor's Bureau PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S):. Proclamation Background Information on National Tourism Week INFORMATION CONTACT: Patty Griffin, Communications Manager, Visitor's Bureau, 968-2060 PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of May 12 through 20, 2007 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 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 Manager, will present at the meeting. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board proclaim the week of May 12 through 20, 2007 as National Tourism Week in Orange County, and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation on behalf of 'the Board. 2 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION May 12-20, 200? 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 individual 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 iri Orange County generating $127.2 million in expenditures in 2005 - an increase of 6.9 percent over the previous year's figures -ranking the county 24t" 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 $9.98 million in 2005, representing an $82 tax saving to each County resident; and WHEREAS, more than 1,700 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel and tourism in 2005; and WHEREAS, travel generated a $26.83 million payroll in 2005; and WHEREAS, our area attractions, welcome centers and tours hosted more than 1.48 million visitors in 2006; 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 12 - 20, 2007 as NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK in Orange County, with the theme TRAVEL & TOURISM: AMERICA'S FRONT DOOR which illustrates the importance of travel to America's image and suggests its impact as a leading industry for economic growth. This, the 3~d day of May, 2007. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners 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.