Ra-Ra-Rally for Travel

Looking for a good reason to wave some banners and pump your fist in the air? Last year, 450 organizations across the United States saluted travel and tourism during National Travel and Tourism Week. This year, you could join their ranks on Travel Rally Day.

The National Travel and Tourism Week, May 8 – 13, 2017, showcases the importance of the travel industry. First staged in 2009, Travel Rally Day takes place on Tuesday each week. It's more than a celebration—it's a concerted effort to recognize travel's positive impact on local workers, businesses and economies.

So, mark your calendars for May 9, 2017 and join the rally by hosting an event in your community. Here are some tips from the U.S. Travel Association to get you started.

Convention & Visitors Bureaus/DMOs:

• Take the lead and gather your local hospitality workforce, elected officials and business leaders for a 30- to 45-minute event on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
• Secure a location such as a local landmark, attraction, hotel or convention center.
• Invite travel supporters and relevant speakers from elected officials, board chairs or travel workers.
• Set the stage with proper lighting and a podium for speakers, and pass out banners, signs an other merchandise for rallygoers to keep them engaged.
• Sell the story! Use data on how travel has benefited your area through jobs, spending and revenue.

Travel Businesses:

• Join an organizing committee at your local CVB.
• Authorize employees to participate.
• Provide transportation for your employees to the event.
• Serve as a spokesperson to local media and share how travel affects your bottom line.

Travel-Related Associations

• Encourage employee participation in local rallies.
• Promote the event in your communications, including newsletters and social media.

Send an e-mail with the details of your event to awroblewksi@ustravel.org and post details on social media using the hashtag #NTTW17 to have your event appear on the social media wall. (And don't worry! If your organization has conflicts with Tuesday, host an event at another time during the week.)

Written by Cassie Westrate, staff writer for Groups Today.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Travel Association.