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| May 2-8, 2002 | ARCHIVES |
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"Las Vegas Entertainment Today" Covers the Las Vegas Entertainment Scene Weekly | |
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May 4 - 12, 2002 19th Annual National Tourism Week The 2002 Celebration and Message: National Tourism Week 2002 has been raised to a new level of significance by 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. Travel can help Americans and our global neighbors with the healing process. The message to travelers is to See America to celebrate a great nation, its vistas, its heroes, its culture and its heritage. 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). Traditionally the Wednesday of National Tourism Week is the industry employee's "Wear Red Day" in recognition of the industry's 19 million jobs. The 19th Annual National Tourism Week celebration kicks off on Saturday, May 4, 2002 with National Travelers Appreciation Day. TIA has created a nationwide publicity campaign featuring the "SeeAmerica Bookmark" for industry organizations to use to thank travelers. At a cost of pennies per thousand, TIA's promotion invites the industry to customize the bookmark and distribute it to customers for one day, Saturday, May 4. The four-color front side of the bookmark will have the "It's Your Country. See It." image. The back is available for members to imprint their own logos or promotions or messages. By leveraging our industry's distribution for just one day, the idea is to dominate the news coverage with the economic recovery of tourism. An order form is available on the tourism awareness link of the TIA Website www.tia.org. |
 In New York City, starting on National Travelers Appreciation Day, a "See America Book Tour 2002" begins a cross-country tour through 23 states and the District of Columbia concluding on August 12 in Santa Monica, California. The book tour features the recently released "Chicken Soup for the Travelers Soul," published by Health Communications, Inc. Many convention and visitor bureaus are planning special activities around the "See America Book Tour 2002." Local residents will be called on to offer their own special welcome and hospitality to visitors to their community. 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 a year-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. By Ms. Dee Minic, Executive Director, Tourism Works for America, Travel Industry Association of America Reprinted with permission from Ms. Dee Minic.
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