HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-04-2006-6bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 4, 2006
Action Agee
Item No.
SUBJECT: National Tourism Week
DEPARTMENT: Visitor's Bureau PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
Background Information on See America
Week/National Tourism Week
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patty Griffin, Communications Manager,
Visitors Bureau, 968-2060
PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of May 13 through 21, 2006 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 awn 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
13 through 21, 2006 as National 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
NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION
May 13-21, 2006
WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry supports the vital interests of Orange
County contributing to our employment, economic prosperity, understanding, and
goodwill; and
WHEREAS, total domestic tourism in Orange Cotanty generated an economic
impact of $119.5 million - an increase of 3.7 percent over the previous year's
figures -ranking the county 23rd in travel impact among North Carolina's 100
counties in 2004; and
WHEREAS, state and local tax revenues from travel to Orange County
amounted to $9.55 million in 2004, representing a $79 tax saving to each County
resident; and
WHEREAS, more than 1,690 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to
travel and tourism in 2004; and
WHEREAS, travel generated a $26.2 million payroll in 2004; and
WHEREAS, our area attractions, welcome centers and tours hosted more than
1.34 million visitors in 2005; and
WHEREAS, people throughout the towns, state, country and world become more
aware of the outstanding cultural, historical, and recreational resources available
in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, given that the travel and tourism industry is vital to our economic
stability and growth and contributes substantially to Orange County's cultural and
social well being, it is fitting that we recognize the efforts of the Chapel
Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau and the importance of travel and tourism;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, in
recognition of the unique significance of the travel and tourism industry in the
lives of Orange County residents, do hereby proclaim May 13 - 21, 2006 as
NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK in Orange County, and we recognize that Tourism
Works in our County.
This the 4~h day of May 2006
(Attach an official seal.)
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Background on the IIistory of National Tourism Week
The 2006Celebration and Message: The 23rd Annual National Tourism Week will be
celebrated May 13-21, 2006, National Tourism Week is sponsored by the Travel Industry
Association of America, Hundreds of cities and towns across the national promote greater public
awareness of the powerful economic, social, and cultural impacts of travel and tourism through
local events and celebrations.
National Tourism Week is the opportunity to emphasize and promote a wider understanding of
the importance of travel and tourism as a major U. S. industry that is vital to the economic
stability and growth of the nation ($599 billion direct travel expenditures and 7..3 million direct
travel-generated jobs).. 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 13-21, 2006 as National Tourism Week. The Bureau plans again to
partner with a local newspaper to create a one or two-page spread devoted to promoting the
impact of visitors on our area and to encourage local residents to be tourists in Orange County.
New this year, the Bureau is working with WCIIL Radio on a tourism promotion radio campaign
and our updated bureau website www,chocvb.org will have a Tourism Week section. Finally,
visit the Visitors Center at 501 W. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill for tourism week postcards and
a box of mints highlighting the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough,