National Travel and Tourism Week in Rome & Floyd County

 

 

 

ROME, GA. – The Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) will lead the community in a celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week through Saturday, May 14.

 

Both the Rome City Commission and the Floyd County Commission have issued proclamations declaring May 7 - 14 Travel and Tourism Week throughout the entire county.

 

“Travel and tourism supports 14 million jobs across the nation, including many right here in Rome,” said Lisa Smith, GRCVB executive director. “We are celebrating every worker in our community and nation who depends on travel for his or her livelihood, and we’re letting our elected officials and local citizens know that travel matters to Rome.” 

 

Each year, travel and tourism is a $107 million industry for Rome and Floyd County, providing 1,210 jobs and generating over $4 million in local tax revenue according to the latest United States Travel Association Economic Impact Report. Travel and tourism is the second largest industry in the state of Georgia.

 

Nationwide, travel is a broad and diverse industry employing a vast workforce, from airline and hotel employees to restaurant, attraction and taxi workers. But it further supports workers in other industry sectors, such as construction, manufacturing and finance by supporting growth throughout communities.

 

“Travel is a force in America’s economy that is simply too important to ignore. It’s responsible for employing one out of every nine Americans, more people than other giants like the insurance or automotive industries,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, the umbrella organization representing the U.S. travel industry.

 

Travel and tourism generated $1.8 trillion in economic output for the U.S. economy in 2010. The industry also represents one of America’s largest employers, supporting 14.1 million jobs. Direct spending by domestic and international travelers averaged $2 billion a day, $86.6 million an hour, $1.4 million a minute and $24,000 a second.

 

“When people make the choice to travel to Rome and Floyd County, whether it be for leisure, sports, conventions or an event, it makes an enormous impact on the residents who live and work here by stimulating our local economy,” said Chris Cannon, GRCVB director of communication.

 

In recognition of the industry, the GRCVB will hold celebratory events throughout the week. Travel and Tourism Week was launched on Saturday, May 7, with free downtown trolley tours focused on the Civil War.

 

On Monday, May 9, GRCVB officials will thank members of the industry with a Hospitality Appreciation Day lunch and orientation tour for employees of Rome's hotels, restaurants and attractions.

 

On Wednesday, May 11, the Three Rivers Garden Club will be recognized for their diligence in creating beautiful gardens surrounding the Rome - Floyd Visitor Center with a special presentation.

 

On Friday, May 13, the GRCVB will announce the 2011 summer photo contest. The 2010 contest drew over 3,000 entries in two months.

 

Throughout the week, prizes will be given out through the bureau's social media (Facebook.com/RomeGeorgia and Twitter.com/RomeGeorgia) and the Last Stop Gift Shop located inside the Rome - Floyd Visitor Center will feature large sales on popular items.

 

For more information on these events, contact the Rome - Floyd Visitor Center at 706.295.5576 or 800.444.1834. For additional information on the travel and tourism industry in Rome, visit www.RomeGeorgia.org.

 

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About the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) is the Destination Marketing Organization serving Rome and Floyd County, Georgia.  Founded in 1975, the GRCVB’s mission is to strengthen the economic fabric of the community through tourism development.  The GRCVB operates the Rome / Floyd County Visitor Center and Last Stop Gift Shop located at 402 Civic Center Drive.  The center and gift shop are open Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

 

Georgia’s Rome features many attractions of interest including Berry College, Oak Hill & the Martha Berry Museum, Chieftains Museum, Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Rome Braves baseball, numerous Civil War sites and a charming Victorian downtown. Rome is also the site of the NAIA Football National Championship as well as numerous tournaments and annual events.

 

For information on Georgia’s Rome and Floyd County, contact the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706-295-5576 or 800-444-1834. Visit online at www.romegeorgia.org.