National Travel and Tourism Week, (NTTW) the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward.
“The travel industry fuels every industry—our industry’s success is the nation’s success,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “This week is a prime opportunity to elevate the message that travel is essential to moving America’s economy forward.”
Established in 1983, NTTW is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activity and elevating the quality of life for everyday Americans.
Travel serves as catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.6 trillion economic output in 2022 and supported 15 million jobs, fueling communities, small businesses and working families across the country.
Travel spending also generated nearly $160 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022—revenue that helped fund critical public services while saving each U.S. household an average of $1,270 in taxes.
In 2021, Natchitoches Parish produced nearly $870 million in visitor spending, an increase of 50% over 2020 and an increase of 43% since 2019. (Covid years) Visitor spending in Natchitoches Parish created $29 million in direct earnings and 1,080 direct jobs. Visitors contributed $9.25 million in state and local tax revenues for Natchitoches Parish in 2021. Natchitoches ranks 19th out of 64 parishes for spending produced by visitors to each parish. If it was not for the State and local taxes paid by tourists in Natchitoches Parish, each household would pay $653 MORE in taxes.
The Natchitoches CVB is recognized travel’s essential contributions by welcoming several charter buses with over 150 visitors from across the country to kick off National Travel and Tourism Week on May 7. These visitors chose historic downtown Natchitoches to enjoy shopping, dining and strolling along Cane River as a day trip while attending the National Rose Society Conference in Shreveport.
The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum along with the Cane River National Heritage Area and the Natchitoches CVB, will host a Lunch and Learn program on Friday, May 12from 12-1 pm. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch and celebratory dessert will be served. The Lunch and Learn event will host a panel of speakers including Carrie Mardoff, Superintendent of the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Rebecca Blankenbaker, Executive Director of the Cane River National Heritage Area and Jay Sharplin, of Sharpco Hotels.
Arlene Gould, Executive Director of the Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau stated, “Travel is the heart of Natchitoches, LA, powering a strong economy, creating jobs and strengthening our community’s culture and identity. This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are proud to celebrate all that travel does for our community now, and all that it will contribute in the future.”
Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week. Or visit Natchitoches.com to learn more about things to do, places to stay and where to eat in Natchitoches.
