Word On: Tourism


 

Q: What is National Tourism Week?

A: For the last 18 years, the U.S. travel industry has set aside the first full week in May to celebrate the cultural, social, historical and educational impact that tourism brings to vacationing Americans and international visitors, not to mention the economic advantages it brings to destinations across the country. From rural regions off-the-beaten track to major metropolitan areas, tourism can play a pivotal role to a state’s overall economic health by creating jobs, generating cash-flow, attracting new employers and welcoming repeat visitors. What’s more, cultivating must-see sites and developing local attractions can preserve unique heritages and historical points of interest for future generations to come. National Tourism Week runs May 6-May 12, 2001 and kicks off the start of the busy summer travel season. From families with young children to retirees who worked a lifetime for the opportunity to travel at their leisure, vacations are a rite of passage for many Americans. Whether it’s a theme park, a national park or the nation’s capital, tourism makes for good family entertainment, a hard-earned break from the workplace, and a big-time booster to economic development.

 

Q: Do you have advice for Iowans planning a family vacation to the nation’s capital?

A: The earlier you make plans, the better. I would also suggest that Iowans feel free to contact my Washington office or any of my six state offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City, or Waterloo for tourist information. Members of the Iowa congressional delegation receive a limited number of White House passes for their constituents each week and can also provide information for lodging, day trips and tours of federal buildings. Most public tours, including the National Zoo and Smithsonian museums, are free-of-charge. And I always encourage Iowans to drop by my Senate office, 135 Hart Senate Building, to say hello and obtain gallery passes to watch congressional debates in the House of Representatives and Senate chambers. Please call ahead to make an appointment if you’d like to meet with me in person. For those planning getaways closer to home, you’re not alone. A survey taken by the travel industry showed that rural tourism appeals to many Americans, with 62 percent of all U.S. adults, roughly 87 million people, taking a trip to a small town within the past three years. And many folks choose to sprinkle a few mini-vacations throughout the year to meet their rest, relaxation and recreation needs. To search a statewide Iowa events calendar, sign-up for an e-mail events alert or to request free publications, go to www.traveliowa.com.