National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is a widely celebrated annual tradition for both the U.S. travel community and here locally in Virginia Beach. It’s a time when travel, tourism, and hospitality professionals come together to celebrate the importance our industry holds for our economy, businesses, and even personal well-being. Established by a congressional resolution in 1983, NTTW is dedicated to highlighting the power of travel by recognizing the millions of people nationwide who help keep the hospitality industry going strong, on the frontlines, and behind the scenes.
NTTW 2022 recognizes the FUTURE OF TRAVEL and the critical role our industry will play in rebuilding the workforce, helping communities recover, fostering sustainability, ushering in new innovations, and reconnecting travelers in the U.S. and around the world. This was a special week for us to unite in celebrating our industry and honoring the hard work and commitment of our hospitality and tourism workforce here in Virginia Beach.
During National Travel and Tourism Week The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau holds its annual National Travel and Tourism Week Awards Ceremony. The National Travel and Tourism Awards was created to recognize those within our hospitality community who excel in their work in making Virginia Beach a First-Class travel destination, awards in almost a dozen industry-related categories were presented to local “hospitality heroes” at the luncheon celebration held on May 5th, 2022 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Below are this year's winners.
Betty Spence |
Carlos Wilson Lifetime Achievement |
The Doubletree by Hilton |
Gioia Brown |
Banquet/Catering |
Holiday Inn North Beach |
Savanna Smith |
Dishwasher/Busser |
The Atlantic on Pacific |
Rebecca Macmillan |
Host/ Hostess/Cashier |
YNOT – Great Neck |
Paul Newman |
Kitchen Staff |
Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront North |
Emily Ngulutu |
Waitstaff/Bartender |
Swan Terrace |
Vicente Mosquera |
Waitstaff/Bartender |
Isle of Capri |
Dany Williams |
Maintenance/Engineer |
The Westin |
Jonas Cruz |
Maintenance/Engineer |
Springhill Suites |
David Mitchell |
Bellman |
The Historic Cavalier |
Leslie Hogge |
Front Desk |
The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront |
Sade Allsbrook |
HousekeepingHiLaundry |
Homewood Suites |
Vanita Spears |
Housekeeping/Laundry |
The Oceanfront Inn |
Mike Hilton |
James Ricketts Hospitality Hero |
IMGoing |