HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-03-2005-6bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 3, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No. 6_1j
SUBJECT: See America Week/National Tourism Week
DEPARTMENT: Visitor's Bureau PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
Background Information on See America
Week/National Tourism Week
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patty Griffin, Communications Manager,
Visitor's Bureau, 968-2060
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of May 7 through 15, 2005 as See America Week/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 travel,
tourism, hospitality and recreation industries' contribution to the nation's social, cultural and
economic well-being is certainly meaningful. The message to travelers is to See America,,,Now
More Than Ever, America is more than adestination -it's an experience,
The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board made the decision to increase
awareness of the impact of tourism with local residents through a See America Week/National
Tourism Week Promotion.. The Visitors Bureau encourages all to See 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
7 through 15, 2005 as See America Week/National Tourism Week in Orange County, and
authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation on behalf of the Board.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEE AMERICA WEEK/NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION
May 7-I5, 2005
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 County generated an economic impact of $115.27
million, - an increase of 0.2 percent over the previous year's figures -ranking the county 22"tl in
travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties in 200.3; and
WHEREAS, state and local tax revenues from travel to Orange County amounted to $9.28
million in 200.3, representing a $75 tax saving to each county resident; and
WHEREAS, more than 1,710 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel and
tourism; and
WHEREAS, travel generated a $26.32 million payroll in 2003; and
WHEREAS, our area attractions, welcome centers and tours hosted more than 1.26 million
visitors in 2004; and
WHEREAS, as people throughout the town, state, country and world become more aware of the
outstanding cultural, historical, and recreational resources available in Orange County, and travel
and tourism will become an increasingly important aspect in the lives of our residents; and
WHEREAS, given these laudable conhibutions to the economic, social, and cultural well being
of the residents of Orange County, 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 do hereby proclaim
May 7 - 15, 2005 as SEE AMERICA WEEK/NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK in Orange County,
and we recognize that Tourism Works in Orange County,
This the .3`~ day of May 2005..
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Background on the History of See America Week/National Tourism Week
The 2005 Celebration and Message: The 22nd Annual See America Week/National Tourism
Week will be celebrated May 7-15, 2005. See America Week/National Tourism Week, formerly
know as simply National Tourism Week, is sponsored by the Travel Industry Association of
America. I-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.
See America Week/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 ($555 billion direct travel expenditures and 7.2
million direct travel-generated jobs). Tourism Works for America.,
The History: National Tourism Week was established in 198.3, 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 IIill/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, as outlined in the 2004-2005 marketing plan, includes requesting the
Orange County Board of Commissioners to proclaim the week of May 7-I5, 2005 as See America
Week/National Tourism Week. The Bureau is again partnering with a local newspaper and two
news pages will be devoted to promoting the impact of visitors on our area and to encourage local
residents to be tourists in Orange County., The Bureau looks to make residents aware of the many
fine offerings that are available for visiting family members, friends and business associates, as
well as to inform them of visitor resources available.. We will also distribute Tourism Week
postcards with a local Orange County Tourism message,