Support National Travel & Tourism Week

"Tourism Pays" in Columbia, SC

The Columbia Regional Visitors Center joins hundreds of cities, states and travel-related businesses nationwide in recognition of National Travel & Tourism Week, May 4-12, 2013. Designated by Congress and established by presidential proclamation in 1983, the event celebrates the value and scope of the nation's $759 billion travel and tourism industry, and its economic and social contributions. National Tourism Week is an annual event sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association, aimed at promoting the power of travel, enhancing the country's economy, and informing the public of the cultural and social benefits of travel and tourism.

Travel and tourism generates $1 billion in direct spending and brings in 3 million visitors for the Columbia region each year, while providing more than 65,000 jobs in the region and supporting the jobs of nearly 1 in 10 South Carolinians. Tourism is the largest industry in South Carolina according to many economists and saves every household in the state $691 in taxes annually. Travel is a broad and diverse industry employing a vast workforce, from airline and attraction employees to restaurant, hotel and taxi workers.

In celebrating the industry and its impact on the community, we have scheduled many exciting events and promotions during National Tourism Week. We invite you to discover 'The Travel Effect' and become a tourist in your own backyard as you explore how Columbia, SC is "The New ___ Hot Spot"

Saturday, May 4 - The New Historic Hot Spot
Sunday, May 5 - The New Game Day Hot Spot
Monday, May 6 - The New Culinary Hot Spot
Tuesday, May 7 - The New Kid-Friendly Hot Spot
Wednesday, May 8 - The New Southern Hot Spot
Thursday, May 9 - The New Military Hot Spot
Friday, May 10 - The New Romantic Hot Spot
Saturday, May 11 - The New Adventure Hot Spot
Sunday, May 12 - The New Artistic Hot Spot

Here are some ways to show your support for travel and tourism during National Travel and Tourism Week:

1. SPECIAL OFFERS

Submit a special offer or discount for locals encouraging them to "Be a Tourist in Their Own Town" during National Tourism Week and become ambassadors for our community.

2. SOCIAL MEDIA

Use the power of "community" to champion Why Travel Matters throughout the week. We'll be tweeting and posting stats, events and promotions throughout the week. Be sure to "like" and "share" our Facebook posts and retweet our posts on Twitter. U.S. Travel is encouraging all Twitter users to join a concerted effort on Tuesday, May 7 (Twitter's "Travel Tuesday" and also Travel Rally Day) to support The Travel Effect.

Follow:  @USTravel and @ColumbiaSC. We will send you travel industry facts and figures weekly to retweet and provide updates .
Tweet: On May 7, post the following message as your Twitter status:
TRAVEL MATTERS to me in #famouslyhot @ColumbiaSC! #travelrally #traveltuesday
Hashtags: Use the hashtag #NTTW and #famouslyhot throughout the week and #traveltuesday and #travelrally when you update your status on May 7 to increase visibility and searchability.

3. WEAR RED (OR GARNET) TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2013

For at least two decades, wearing red during NTTW has been a signature that signaled unity among travel and tourism workers and supporters. Consider wearing red in support of the tourism industry on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

4. SHOW YOUR FACES OF TRAVEL

Print a travel sign, take a photo of your employees, and share it on our Facebook wall to show your support for the industry with your "Faces of Travel."
Download Logos and Graphics

5. SHARE YOUR STORY ABOUT WHY TRAVEL MATTERS TO COLUMBIA, SC

Please connect with us on Facebook or Twitter to tell us your perspective on why travel matters in Columbia, SC.

6. BECOME A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN AND PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS

http://www.columbiacvb.com/hometowntourist
http://www.columbiacvb.com/ntw

7. OTHER IDEAS

Power of Travel Coalition
U.S. Travel Association

8. MAKE A PROCLAMATION

If you would like to make a National Travel & Tourism Week proclamation, please contact us at webmaster@columbiaauthority.com.

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