The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and industry partners across the state will join forces May 1-7 to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. This week spotlights the critical role travel will play in driving economic growth and building the path forward through the theme #FutureofTravel. Tourism is the state’s #2 industry.
Visitors across the state are invited to stop in any of Tennessee’s 16 Welcome Centers to experience first-hand what area destinations have to offer by participating in the Centers’ National Travel and Tourism Week Trivia Wheel to answer questions on Tennessee’s music, culture, geography, sports, highway safety laws presented by Tennessee Highway Safety Office and litter prevention and awareness presented by Keep Tennessee Beautiful and Nobody Trashes Tennessee for a chance to win Tennessee souvenirs.
Guests can also learn more about Tennessee and how they can utilize the Welcome Centers when planning road trips across the state by taking advantage of the Centers’ certified travel ambassadors and resources on-site, including free hotel, motel, campground and attraction reservations, pet walking areas, free statewide brochures, Tennessee Vacation Guides and maps, picnic tables, weather and traffic monitors, civil war exhibits, free WI-FI and a relaxing environment to rest during a day of travel.
The travel industry is a powerful economic engine, supporting jobs and driving local economies.
In 2020, Tennessee Tourism generated $16.8 billion in domestic and international travel spending. Despite the impact of COVID-19, efforts to promote outdoor travel opportunities helped Tennessee outperform the national average. Now with economies and the U.S. opening back up, Americans are ready to ready travel according to Destination Analysts:
- 81.0% of American Travelers report strong excitement for travel this year and 86.2% are in a ready-to-travel state of mind.
- 87.6% of American travelers have current trip plans.
- 71.8% of Americans did some trip dreaming and planning in the last week.
- Americans are seeking out new experiences for travel with 55.7% preferring to travel to places they have never been before.
“From Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Jack Daniel’s in Lynchburg to Beale Street in Memphis and everywhere in between, the travel and tourism industry contributes significantly to the economy and the spirit of the Volunteer State,” said Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell. “We are excited to connect with our partners and celebrate the bright future ahead for Tennessee’s tourism industry.”
Celebrated annually during the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 39th annual NTTW arrives as the industry looks ahead to future growth and success following the challenges of the past two years.
For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week in Tennessee, visit here.