Wendy Birdsall-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

06/7/12

by Wendy Birdsall, President Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

The first week in May is recognized annually as National Travel and Tourism Week. This tradition began in 1984 to recognize the impact of tourism on the economy of the United States.  According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel and tourism is a $759 billion industry that generates a total of $1.8 trillion in economic output in the United States. In Lancaster County, tourism has an economic impact of $337.4 million annually and employs roughly 5,700 people.

To help celebrate National Tourism Week, which runs from May 5-13, the Lincoln Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) is offering a vacation alternative for Lincoln area residents looking for savings in their travel budget.

Why not “Be a Tourist” in your hometown?

The Lincoln CVB is partnering with 26 Lincoln area attractions and events in its ninth year of the “Be a Tourist” Campaign.  To coincide with National Tourism Week, the award winning program kicks off May 5, and will continue through Aug. 20.

The “Be A Tourist” program is simple.  Participants can pick up a passport at sites located around the community, including the participating Lincoln attractions and the Visitor Center (7th and P Streets).  It can also be downloaded at www.lincoln.org. Each attraction has a designated spot on the passport which will be stamped when a person visits the attraction.  Participants are asked to visit at least six of the locations and turn in completed passports for a chance of winning one of the many prize packages.

The more you visit, the better the prizes.  Prizes will be awarded during a celebration held at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo at the end of the program.  For a complete listing of the prize packages, or to obtain a copy of the passport, visit the CVB website the first week of May.

The “Be A Tourist” program was recently honored by the Nebraska Department of Travel & Tourism as the Outstanding Tourism Campaign for 2011.

The Chamber’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together.  Networking opportunities, business advocacy, and creating economic viability are critical to our success.  We encourage you to become a member and help us achieve these goals for Lincoln.

For information about the “Be A Tourist” program, contact the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau at 434-5335.

Additional information about Lincoln Chamber of Commerce can be found on their website at www.lincoln.org or by contacting Paul at 436-2350.

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