Governor Ricketts proclaims May 7–13, 2017 Nebraska Travel and Tourism Week
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jenn Gjerde at 402-471-3768, or [email protected]
Angela Sears at 402-471-7755, or [email protected]
LINCOLN, Neb. (May 8, 2017)— This week, statewide tourism officials and the governor are celebrating the 34th annual National Travel and Tourism Week (May 7-13), which unites communities across the country to celebrate what travel means to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being.
“Just look at the numbers. Travel supports one in nine American jobs, including 47,400 right here in Nebraska,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism Commission executive director. “This week, we are celebrating what travel means to our community, and we call on everyone—from elected officials to local residents—to join us in saluting the state’s third largest industry.”
To honor the celebration, Ricks will travel the state hosting town halls, where he hopes to hear from a variety of Nebraska destinations and attractions as well as provide an update on current tourism projects and goals. The town hall meetings are open to the public and should last about an hour.
|
Date |
City |
Time |
Location |
Host Organization |
|
May 9, 2017 |
Nebraska City |
9 a.m. |
Kimmel Orchard, 5995 G Rd |
Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce |
|
May 9, 2017 |
McCook |
3:30 p.m. |
Citta Deli, 110 W 3rd St |
McCook / Red Willow County Tourism |
|
May 10, 2017 |
Gering |
1:15 p.m. |
Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St |
Gering Convention & Visitors Bureau |
|
May 11, 2017 |
Columbus |
1 p.m. |
Historical Evans House, 2204 14th St |
Columbus/Platte County CVB |
|
May 12, 2017 |
Bellevue |
3 p.m. |
Beardmore Event Center, 3730 Raynor Pkwy |
Metropolitan Hospitality Association |
|
May 17, 2017 |
North Platte |
11 a.m. |
Best Western Plus, 321 S Jeffers St |
Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition |
“I do hereby urge all citizens to join in this special observation by taking some time to explore some of Nebraska’s top tourist attractions,” said Nebraska Governor, Pete Ricketts, who proclaimed May 7 – 13, 2017, Nebraska Travel and Tourism Week.
These local figures are an important part of travel’s economic importance nationwide.
- Domestic and international travelers to Nebraska spent $4.9 billion in 2015 and generated $705.0 million to federal, state and local governments, dollars that help fund jobs and public programs such as police, firefighters, teachers, road projects and convention centers.
- The 47,400 jobs created by travelers to Nebraska in 2015 represent 5.9% of the state’s total private-industry employment.
- Without these jobs generated by domestic and international travel, Nebraska’s 2015 unemployment rate of 3.0% would have been 7.7% of the labor force.
- For every $1 million spent in Nebraska by domestic and international travelers, 9.7 jobs are created.
In addition to its benefits for the local economy, travel can also have a positive effect on personal well-being for residents and visitors of Nebraska. Numerous research studies have confirmed the positive health effects of travel and time off, from reducing the risk of heart disease to decreasing depression. Using time off to travel with family is good for everyone, especially our children—kids who travel with their families are more likely to attend college and earn more as adults.
Giving everyone a chance to experience Nebraska, the Tourism Commission and Visit Omaha are giving away an Omaha Family Fun package in honor of National Travel and Tourism Week. To enter to win, head to VisitNebraska.com/contest.
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