With summer vacation on the horizon and many people already making travel plans, it’s appropriate that America’s annual salute to the travel and tourism industry will be celebrated May 1-7.  Designated as National Travel and Tourism Week, communities across the nation will unite to showcase the impact of travel to policymakers, business leaders, media and their local communities with rallies and events. This year’s theme of “Travel ‘16” pays homage to the upcoming 2016 election season.

Established by a congressional resolution in 1983, travel and tourism professionals work throughout the week to promote the positive impacts their destinations and organizations make to the U.S. economy. In Texas alone, direct travel spending was $69 billion in 2015, supported nearly 653,000 jobs, and generated $6.2 billion in state and local tax revenues.

In Southlake, the tourism industry supports 7,543 jobs and over 1,100 businesses. Because of its tremendous impact, the City of Southlake Economic Development and Tourism Department will celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week through its own lineup of activities.

“Tourism week in Southlake will be an exciting way to promote Southlake as a destination city. Through our week of events, we also hope to advance the power of tourism and demonstrate the positive economic and social benefits it brings to our community,” remarked Jill Lind, Southlake’s tourism marketing manager.

Tourism week in Southlake will include:

• Monday, May 2: The City’s tourism Facebook page will offer a shopping package giveaway. With nearly 260 retail venues and growing, including one-of-a-kind boutique stores and world-renowned retailers, Southlake is a premier shopping destination in North Texas.
• Tuesday, May 3: The Southlake City Council will honor an official proclamation recognizing Southlake’s participation in the national event. The proclamation will take place in City Council Chambers within Southlake Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend and is encouraged to wear red in honor of National Travel & Tourism Week.
• Wednesday, May 4: The new Southlake destination video showcasing the many things to do, things to see, places to shop, and places to stay within the City will be unveiled to the public. The video will be available for viewing on VisitSouthlakeTexas.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.
• Thursday, May 5: The Hilton Southlake Town Square, along with the City of Southlake tourism staff, will co-host “On Your Way to Work,” a networking event from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at Copeland’s of New Orleans. The no-cost event will be open to all Southlake business representatives and will feature tourism impact information relevant to the business community.
• Friday, May 6: Southlake tourism staff will join representatives from other Texas cities at the Texas Travel Information Center in Gainesville for the TxDOT Destination Showcase. The event will provide an opportunity for destination cities to share information about their communities and attractions. Southlake tourism staff will also hold activities at the sold-out “Leadercast 2016 Southlake,” the annual one-day leadership event.
• Saturday, May 7: Southlake-based Apex Arts League will host the first “Films at The Marq,” a one-day, family-friendly film festival from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Southlake tourism staff will be on site to welcome visitors to The Marq, the City’s newest event space.

“Southlake is an incredible destination for business and play, and we want people to know that our City is one of the most welcoming and hospitable communities in Texas,” stated Southlake Mayor Laura Hill.   “Several fun activities have been planned throughout the week to show our appreciation to all who have an impact on tourism in Southlake and to welcome our visitors. At the end of the day, all of us have an impact on tourism.”

For additional information about Southlake events, attractions and accommodations, go to VisitSouthlakeTexas.com.