The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau will recognize National Travel and Tourism Week with an open house on Thursday, May 12 at the Chamber offices located at 600 E. Depot.
This week in May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984. It was established as National Tourism Week when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 designating the week to be celebrated in May. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with “the appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Celebrations in communities across the nation collectively mark the event and the impact tourism has on the nation, state, and city.
This year’s theme “Why Travel Matters” is possibly more relevant now than at any other time with legislators in session trying to balance a difficult budget. Travel is among the top 10 industries in the 48 states and D.C. in terms of employment and among the top 3 in the state of Texas. One in nine U.S. jobs depends on travel and tourism with travel spending directly supporting 526,000 jobs in the state of Texas. Those 526,000 jobs have earnings of $15.8 Billion.
For Brown County, 610 jobs are dependent on travel and tourism generating over $13 Million in earnings.
According to the Office of the Governor, Total direct travel spending in Texas for 2009 reached $51.8 billion and $42.2 million for Brown County. The week of May 7 – May 15 is the week to show appreciation to those in the travel and tourism industry who work hard to make visitors feel welcome in the community.
Community members, chamber members, and travel industry professionals are invited to celebrate the local tourism industry at the annual chamber open house on Thursday, May 12th from 4:00 5:30pm.
