Peachtree City, Ga. will join hundreds of cities, states, and travel-related businesses nationwide in recognition of the 24th annual National Tourism Week, held May 12-20. Designated by Congress and established by presidential proclamation in 1983, the event highlights the value and impact of the nation’s $703 billion travel industry and the economic and social contributions it brings to Peachtree City.

This year’s theme, “Travel & Tourism: America’s Front Door,” illustrates the importance of travel to America’s image and suggests its impact as a leading industry for economic growth.

“Hotels and meeting facilities, attractions, restaurants and transportation providers are among the local businesses greatly impacted by travel to Peachtree City,” said Lauren Yawn, executive director of the Peachtree City Tourism Association. “This industry employees thousands of people, generates millions of dollars in revenue for the State of Georgia, and touches our community, in countless other ways. In Peachtree City, this week celebrates the people who visit here, the workforce that provides service for them and the development created as a result.”

Peachtree City will kick off National Tourism Week with a concert by Mary Wilson of the Supremes at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater on Saturday, May 12 with other events scheduled throughout the week. For a list of events, please stop by the Visitors Center at 10 Planterra Way in Peachtree City located adjacent to the Peachtree City Tennis Center.

Nationwide, the U.S. travel industry directly employees 7.5 million people, generates payroll of $171 billion and tax revenues of about $105 billion. It ranks fifth among the 20 major industry sectors measured by the U.S. Census Bureau. Visitors to the U.S. spent more here than U.S. residents traveling abroad, creating a positive balance of trade of $7.4 billion for the national economy. Travel expenditures within the United States total $703 billion.

National Tourism Week is one of several Tourism Works for America programs supported annually by the Travel Industry Association, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents the common interests and concerns of travel in America.

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