May 8, 2008

Bowling Green Kicks off National Tourism Week

Celebrating with hot dogs, popcorn and coke floats

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Bowling Green, KY joins hundreds of cities, states and travel-related businesses nationwide in recognition of the 25th annual National Tourism Week, to be held May 10-18. Designated by Congress and established by presidential proclamation in 1983, the event celebrates the value and scope of the nation’s $740 billion travel and tourism industry, and the economic and social contributions it brings to communities.

This year’s theme, “Discover Great American Traditions,” encourages travel to American locales and highlights the role that tourism plays in discovering the icons of a destination. “We are very fortunate to have true American icons right here in the Bowling Green area with the National Corvette Museum, the GM Corvette Assembly Plant, the Duncan Hines exhibit, and Mammoth Cave National Park, one of the nation’s oldest tourist attractions” said Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Vicki Fitch.

To kickoff National Tourism Week locally, the BGACVB and Friends of the L&N Depot are hosting a celebration at the Historic Railpark and Train Museum today from 4-6 p.m. The dedication of the Museum’s theater and a public premiere of the recently completed visitor information show, City Vision, will highlight the event, along with the signing of a National Tourism Week Proclamation by city and county officials. The event is open to the public and the great American food traditions of hot dogs, popcorn and coke floats will be given away. In addition, representatives from area attractions will be appearing on WBKO's Midday Live each day next week to remind viewers of the treasures right here in Bowling Green.

“Hotels and meeting facilities, attractions, restaurants and transportation providers are among the local businesses greatly impacted by travel to Bowling Green,” said Fitch. “The tourism industry employees about 3,800 people in Warren County, generates $274 million in revenue for our city and touches our community in countless other ways. In Bowling Green, this week celebrates the people who visit here, the workforce that provides service for them and the development created as a result.”

Nationwide, the U.S. travel industry directly employees 7.5 million people, generates payroll of $178 billion and tax revenues of about $110 billion. TIA ranks travel fifth among 20 major private industry sectors. Visitors to the U.S. spent more here than U.S. residents traveling abroad, creating a positive balance of trade of $8.3 billion for the national economy. Travel expenditures within the United States total $740 billion.

National Tourism Week is sponsored annually by the Travel Industry Association, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents the common interests and concerns of travel in America.

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