First recognized in 1984, it's a week that communities can call their own while featuring all that travel and tourism brings to town. Since then National Tourism Week has become an annual nationally-recognized event.
Amarillo will go over the top to celebrate this year's event.
"Tourism is vital to Amarillo's economy. So much so that it should not just be recognized, it should be celebrated," Dan Quandt, Vice President of the Amarillo Convention & Visitors Bureau, says. "Tourism has such an impact on Amarillo that we will be stretching the traditional observance to 10 days."
According to the most recent statistics from the Texas Office of Economic Development & Tourism, the local tourism industry contributes more than $700 million annually to our local economy.
For every dollar spent by the State of Texas to promote and advertise tourism, the state receives a return of $7 in spending.
Finally, thanks to the state's thriving tourism industry, each of our tax bills is about $800 less than it would be without this growing industry.
Just a few highlights from Amarillo's celebration of National Tourism Week include-
-tourism night at First Friday Art Walk.
-an event to focus on the expanding ties between the arts and tourism.
-release of a new Jack Sorenson poster of Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
-a party for a historic DC-3 aircraft.
-a public trade show, Texas Travel Rally Day, at the Texas Travel Information Center.
-special giveaways and events on Amarillo CVC social media outlets to recognize new area attractions as well as ways to combat the "Not in My Backyard" syndrome.
Festivities will start with recognition of this 10-day celebration with a proclamation at Amarillo City Council on Tuesday, April 29.
"We hope that everyone finds something they want to do during this big week. If not, please give us a call and we will help you find your place in this week," Quandt says.
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The Amarillo CVC mission is to positively impact the economy and image of Amarillo through destination marketing and related support programs.
Visit the Amarillo CVC website at www.visitamarillotx.com
Amarillo's National Tourism Week Activities
May 2-11, 2014
Tuesday, Apr. 29
City of Amarillo Proclamation
Amarillo City Hall
3 p.m.
Friday, May 2
Tourism Night @ First Friday Art Walk
Meet with members of Amarillo's tourism community at the Center City Corral.
The Galleries at Sunset Center
www.amarilloartists.com
3701 Plains Blvd.
5-9 p.m.
Saturday, May 3
Cinco de Mayo Parade
Everyone loves a parade and since Tourism Week overlaps with this cultural celebration, start your weekend just east of downtown Amarillo with this wonderful event.
Parade starts at Arthur St and E. 16th Ave. and proceeds to Alamo Park via Arthur St., E. 10th Ave, Ross St. and 16th Ave. to Alamo Park.
10 a.m. to 12 noon
May 5-9
Watch for special contests on Amarillo CVC social media.
Monday, May 5
Arts & Tourism Day
A special event to highlight the cooperation of the arts and tourism will focus on the new art program at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport and participating artists will be on site. But we will show examples of cooperation across the arts.
Sponsored by City of Amarillo & Amarillo CVC with credit to the Amarillo Museum of Art, The Galleries at Sunset Center and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
Passenger lobby just outside the entrance to TSA
11 a.m.
Wednesday, May 7
What's On Tap?
Our regular networking session for Amarillo and its hospitality community. This event will feature the issue of a brand new Palo Duro Canyon poster by Jack Sorenson. He will be on site to sign posters.
Park admission is waived.
Sponsored by the Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Amarillo CVC.
Mack Dick Group Pavilion
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
5-7 p.m.
Thursday, May 8
Texas Air & Space Museum DC-3 Party
A special evening to support this growing museum. Learn about the historic DC-3 that has joined the museum's collection and about their plans to expand. A $25 donation includes a beverage and light hors d'oeuvres. RSVP by May 5 to either 806-335-9159 or info@texasairandspacemuseum.org.
English Field Aviation Hangar
www.texasairandspacemuseum.org
10001 American Dr.
5-7 p.m.
Friday, May 9
Texas Travel Rally Day
Sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Amarillo CVC. It's a one-stop shop for the community to learn about more than 20 area attractions.
Texas Travel Information Center on I-40 East @ Airport Blvd.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Reception following at the Big Texan Steak Ranch
Saturday, May 10
Stop by the Amarillo Visitor Information Center (entrance #2 to the Amarillo Civic Center Complex) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to receive up to date info on some great new attractions in Amarillo. Among the many offerings, don't miss-
Zip lining at the Palo Duro Adventure Park
11100 Highway 217 East (just outside state park entrance)
www.palodurozip.com
806-488-2260
Admission is charged.
The expanded RV Museum at Jack Sisemore Traveland
4341 Canyon Dr.
www.rvmuseum.net
806-358-4891
Free admission
Enjoy Passport to History Day at these four Amarillo attractions-
Amarillo Railroad Museum
It is National Train Day, too!
3160 I Ave on the former Amarillo Air Base
www.amarillorailroadmuseum.com
Free admission but donations are welcome
Texas Air & Space Museum with the historic DC-3
English Field Aviation Hangar
10001 American Dr.
www.texasairandspacemuseum.org
806-335-9159
Free admission but donations are welcome
Santa Fe Locomotive Development Museum
Madame Queen AT&SF Steam Locomotive #5000
Just north of Amarillo Civic Center Complex in downtown Amarillo
Free admission
Buttel Railroad Museum
3907 Sundown Ln.
Free admission
Shop for Mom on the Mother Road
Amarillo's Route 66 merchants will be open with specials to help you celebrate Mother's Day Weekend.
www.amarillo66.com
Finish with an evening at the Tascosa Drive-In Movie
1999 Dumas Drive (just south of Thompson Park)
Check http://tascosadrivein.com/ to see what's showing!
Gates open at 7:30 pm and movies start at dark.
806-383-3882
Sunday, May 11
Shop for Mom on the Mother Road
Amarillo's Route 66 merchants will be open with specials to help you celebrate Mother's Day Weekend.
www.amarillo66.com