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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-15-2003-5cORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 15, 2003 Action Agenda Item No. ~-~ SUBJECT: National Tourism Week DEPARTMENT: Visitor's Bureau PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Proclamation Background on History of National Tourism Week INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Blake, 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 10 - 18 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 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" to celebrate a great nation, its vistas, its heroes, its culture and its heritage. 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. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The costs for materials for this activity are included in the Visitor's Bureau's 2002-2003 fiscal year budget. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board proclaim the week of May 10 - 18, 2003 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 PROCLAMATION NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK May 10 -18, 2003 WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry supports the vital interests of Orange County, contributing to the County's employment, economic prosperity, understanding, and goodwill; and WHEREAS, total domestic tourism in Orange County generates an economic impact of more than $107 million, ranking the county 21 out of 100 counties in North Carolina in travel expenditures in 2001; and WHEREAS, state and local tax revenues from travel to Orange County amounted to $8.91 million in 2001, representing a $74 tax saving to each County resident; and WHEREAS, more than 1,720 jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel and tourism; and WHEREAS, travel generated a $26.27 million payroll in 2001; and WHEREAS, the area attractions, welcome centers and tours hosted nearly 1.1 million visitors in 2002; and WHEREAS, as people throughout the towns, states, countries 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 the County's citizens; and WHEREAS, given these laudable contributions to the economic, social, and cultural well being of the citizens of Orange County, it is fitting that Orange County recognize the efforts of the Chapel HilUOrange County Visitors Bureau and the importance of travel and tourism; NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May 10 - 18, 2003 as NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK in Orange County and recognize that Tourism Works in Orange County. This the 15th day of April, 2003. Margaret Brown, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners 3 Background on the History of National Tourism Week The 2003 Celebration and Message: The 20th Annual National Tourism Week will be celebrated May 10-18, 2003. It continues to take on a new level of significance since the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent global war on terrorism. The travel, tourism, hospitality and recreation industries' contribution to the nation's social, cultural and economic well being is more meaningful than ever before. Nationally, the message to travelers is to See America to celebrate a great nation, its vistas, its heroes, its culture and its heritage. It's also an opportunity to thank visitors and travelers as they continue to be a vital part of our economic growth. See America to celebrate the spirit, adventure, joy and discovery of travel. Now more than ever before, 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 ($584 billion annual expenditures and 18 million 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 HilUOrange 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 2002-2003 marketing plan, includes requesting the county commission board to proclaim the week of May 10 - 18, 2003 as National Tourism Week. The Bureau is again partnering with a local newspaper to develop an advertising supported insert to promote the impact of visitors on our area and to encourage local citizens to be tourists in Orange County. We will have a focus on Orange County's 250th Anniversary as the yearlong celebration comes to a close. 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 customized National Tourism Week Bookmarks, with a local Orange County Tourism message, through the area libraries, visitor centers, town and county offices and more.