National Travel And Tourism Week 2020 Celebrates Spirit Of Travel

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) celebrates the “Spirit of Travel” May 4-9 during National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) by honoring the contributions and accomplishments of the Little Rock travel industry.

Tourism is Arkansas’s second leading industry. Little Rock’s leisure and business travelers, along with meeting and convention attendees have a significant economic impact for both the city and the state. According to the most recent Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism report, more than six million Little Rock visitors spent $1.8 billion annually contributing to 25 percent of Arkansas’s total travel expenditures, and generating $108 million in local and state tax revenue. Additionally, Little Rock tourism provided 13,650 jobs accounting for 20 percent of Arkansas’s overall travel-related employment.

Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to underscore the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 37th NTTW (May 3-9) arrives at an opportune moment to unite the industry, celebrate its indomitable spirit and elevate the role it will play in Arkansas’s — and America’s — economic recovery.

Since in-person rallies and community events that have been hallmarks of NTTW in years past are not an option this year, LRCVB is engaging in other ways. The organization has produced a local video that pays tribute to the many faces of Little Rock’s hospitality industry, highlighting the local restaurants, attractions, lodging facilities, retail shops and more that make Arkansas’s capital city special. The genuine people and their sincerity make the destination what it is. The video is a message of unity, support, hope and steadfastness. View the Little Rock tribute video here.

Additional events and activities throughout the week include:

• BRAND NEW: Little Rock Mural Tour featuring local artwork throughout the city. Watch it online, or take a driving or cycling tour.
• May 5: U.S. Virtual Road Trip - Coast to coast Twitter #VirtualRoadTrip featuring all 50 states. While Arkansas will officially be featured 2:45-3:00 PM CST, Little Rock can participate all day using the hashtag.
• May 7: Virtual Tourism Industry Mixer – LRCVB will host a virtual mixer with members of the local travel community providing updates and resources, hear updates from members of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Task Force. (3:00 PM)
• LITTLE ROCK LIGHTS: Red is the nation’s official tourism color. During NTTW, Little Rock will be lit red at multiple locations including: President Clinton Park, Junction Bridge, Main Street downtown bridges; Big Dam and Two Rivers Park bridges; Simmons Bank (River Market District); Union Plaza Building; Robinson Center; and the Old State House Museum.

LRCVB President & CEO Gretchen Hall noted, “There’s no doubt this has been an incredibly challenging time for our city and industry, but we see National Travel and Tourism Week as an opportunity to remind our residents and visitors of the incredible spirit and resiliency of the travel industry and our workforce. It’s only a matter of time before we all get moving again, and Little Rock and LRCVB will be more than ready to welcome travelers with open arms.”

Please click here to learn more about Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.

ABOUT LITTLE ROCK

The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Little Rock, charged with marketing and selling the city as a meeting, sports and leisure travel destination. The LRCVB also manages the Statehouse Convention Center, Robinson Center, River Market and multiple parking facilities. For more information, visit www.littlerock.com.

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