The annual observance of national hospitality and tourism week by the Bryan/College Station convention and visitor’s bureau (CVB) again takes place throughout the month of May.
The CVB’s Sydney Murrell says that includes a family friendly event Friday night from 6 until 8 at Wolf Pen Creek park in College Station. The Kentucky Derby-themed event includes the movie “Seabiscuit”, presented by the College Station parks and recreation department, along with family friendly activities.
Next week, the CVB is awarding prizes next week by following their social media. Prizes include an Aggieland War Games Party Pack for 10 people, a $50 Ground Shuttle certificate, and a one-night stay in a suite at the Hilton Hotel in College Station. Follow the CVB on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and keep an eye out for the giveaways.
And tickets are available for the CVB’s hospitality celebration luncheon on May 25 at the Hilton, when individual and businesses that have contributed to the local tourism industry are recognized.
Click below for comments from Sydney Murrell, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver:
Additional information from the Bryan/College Station CVB:
Some of the numbers, according to the U.S. Travel Association:
• 6,000 jobs are supported by travel and tourism in Bryan College Station
• Travel and tourism generates $45.8 million in local tax revenue
• An estimated $523.6 million is pumped into the local hospitality industry annually
These local figures are an important part of travel’s economic importance nationwide. For example:
• Travel is a $2.1 trillion industry in the U.S., with $947 billion in direct travel-related spending in the U.S. by domestic and international visitors in 2015
• These visitors support 15 million American jobs — roughly 8 million direct travel jobs, and 7 million indirect and induced jobs.
• Travel-related spending generated $147.9 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues in 2015
Travel can also have a positive effect on personal well-being for residents and visitors of Bryan College Station. 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 our families is good for everyone, especially our children — kids who travel with their families are more likely to attend college and earn more as adults.
“Think of it this way: if travel were able to run for president in 2016, it’d be the perfect candidate,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, the umbrella organization representing the U.S. travel industry. “It’s a job creator, educator, and it’s pro-family and pro-health. This National Travel and Tourism Week, we’re saluting how our dynamic industry contributes to America and continues to do wonders for our business and personal lives.”
