National Travel and Tourism Week 2021 (May 2-8) spotlights the collective strength of the U.S. travel industry.
This National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), there is more reason than ever to celebrate the collective strength of the U.S. travel and tourism industry and its dynamic workforce.
The 38th annual NTTW, taking place May 2-8, recognizes the Power of Travel and the critical role our industry will play in bringing back our vibrant communities, restoring the economy, rebuilding our workforce, and reconnecting America.
Prior to the pandemic, the travel industry was a powerful economic engine, supporting jobs and driving local economies in every pocket of America. The industry had experienced 107 straight months of growth, generated $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 17 million American jobs, and delivered a $51 billion trade surplus to the U.S.
Unfortunately, that strong growth trend plummeted last year due to the pandemic. Travel spending in the U.S. declined 42%, costing the economy $1.1 trillion, while hardworking Americans supported by travel made up a staggering 65% of all U.S. unemployment. In Virginia Beach, it takes a workforce of more than 13,000 strong to host the millions of guests who visit us each year.
However, Virginia Beach — and the travel industry — is resilient.
While we faced extraordinary challenges in the past year, our industry united like never before, lifted each other up, aided one another, and devoted ourselves fully to the task of supporting and restoring all sectors of travel. This year’s NTTW is an opportunity to turn the page to a new chapter in our industry’s story and celebrate its collective power by spotlighting the innumerable ways travel will drive recovery, bring Americans together again and help define our country’s path forward.
Virginia Beach is participating in NTTW 2021 in a variety of ways. On Tues., May 4, Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer will proclaim May 2 – 8, 2021 National Travel & Tourism Week in Virginia Beach, A department recognition gathering will take place on Wed., May 5 for CVB staff. On Thur., May 6, from 1 – 6 p.m., a virtual job fair will take place to help rebuild the Virginia Beach hospitality workforce. Finally, on Friday, May 7, a special event for the industry workforce has been organized by our local hotel and restaurant association.
All week long, the CVB will be pushing out NTTW messaging on our social media platforms and via a digital video messaging ad campaign to highlight #NTTW2021. The lights of our Convention Center Tower will shine red all week in n honor of the tourism industry. Marquees will display messages of thanks to our industry A video advertising campaign featuring Mayor Dyer thanking the hospitality industry workforce will run throughout the entire celebration week and a message from our Governor will add to the appreciation shown.
From our wide, clean beaches to our U-pick farms in Pungo, with delectable farm-to-table offerings, to major attractions like the Virginia Aquarium, iFLy and Topgolf, Virginia Beach’s tourism industry contributes so much to our local economy and our community’s unique character.
From all of us at the Virginia Beach CVB, we are so excited to share the full power of our industry—and the strength and spirit of Virginia Beach —this NTTW.
Please click here to learn more about NTTW and to see U.S. Travel Association’s NTTW toolkit, which includes a fact sheet, talking points, suggestions for how to hold safe celebrations, social media graphics, templates for a blog, op-ed and press release and so much more.
