This week, Experience Cortland joins hundreds of counties, cities and travel-related businesses nationwide in recognizing National Travel and Tourism Week, May 5-11.
On Thursday, April 25, Cortland County Legislature proclaimed May 5-11 Travel & Tourism Week in Cortland County County. The proclamation marks the kick-off of the 36th annual National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW), which unites communities across the country to celebrate how travel matters to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being. Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the official tourism promotion agency for Cortland County, NY, will spend the week celebrating Cortland County’s thriving tourism and hospitality industry. "On behalf of the CVB, our staff and Board of Directors, and our tourism assets, I'd like to thank the Legislature for this proclamation and for recognizing the impact and importance of the tourism industry here in Cortland County," said Meghan Lawton, Executive Director of the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Tourism is economic development. The proclamation shows that our County Government believes this, stands by this and supports all the businesses and people involved in the tourism field in Cortland County." As reported by the U.S. Travel Association, travel and tourism is a $79.1 billion industry for New York, providing over 500,000 jobs and generating $15.1 billion in local tax revenue. Here in Cortland County, tourism is making a major impact at the local level. According to the latest Tourism Economics report, visitor spending in Cortland County generates:
- $71.9 million in travel expenditures
- Approximately 2,000 jobs locally supported by tourism
- $8.6 million in state and local taxes
National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) is a tradition celebrated annually since 1984. The event was established as National Tourism Week when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 designating the week to be celebrated in May. In a White House ceremony, President Reagan even signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with ceremonies and activities in their communities. This year, the travel industry is coming together to celebrate why "Travel Matters," spotlighting different way travel matters each day to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being.
The CVB encourages locals and visitors to celebrate NTTW with the county's delectable cuisine, history and culture, and scenic beauty and outdoors. The Visitors Bureau will also be holding contests and giveaways throughout the week. The "I Love Cortland County" photography contest began yesterday, allowing amateur, professional and youth photographers to share the sights that make Cortland County beautiful. Selected pictures may be used in upcoming promotional and marketing materials that are distributed to hundreds of thousands of tourists worldwide, including the 2020 Visitors Guide. Click here for contest rules and submission details.
Share your Cortland County adventures with us for a chance to be featured! Tag @experiencecortland and use hashtag #experiencecortland.