Visit Hickory Metro Moves Travel Forward This National Travel and Tourism Week – May 7 – 13, 2023

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the annual industry celebration

Hickory, N.C., May 1, 2023 — 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.” 

NTTW Graphic 2023Established 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 a 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 Catawba County, the travel industry drives economic impact with more than $291 Million in visitor spending placing Catawba County at 24 out of 100 counties in highest visitor impact. This is from the most recent data provided by Visit North Carolina. Catawba County saw a 32.4 percent increase in visitation from 2020 to 2021. 

“Visit Hickory Metro, which is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Catawba County, is recognizing travel’s essential contributions to the community,” said Hickory Metro Convention Center and Visitors Center CEO Mandy Hildebrand.  “Catawba County, along with the counties in the Hickory Metro, which include Alexander, Burke, and Caldwell, have a wealth of natural amenities as well as event spaces like the Hickory Metro Convention Center, and sporting facilities and events, a variety of lodging options, authentic and well-known local restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries. The Hickory Metro continues to be the premier place to purchase quality furniture crafted by local artisans.”

Downtown Hickory“Travel is at the heart of our community, powering a strong economy, creating jobs, and strengthening our community’s culture and identity. This National Travel and Tourism Week – May 7 – 13, 2023 -, we are proud to celebrate all that travel does for our community now, and all that it will contribute in the future,” added Hildebrand.   

Stories about hospitality ambassadors in our community will be spotlighted throughout the week through media and Visit Hickory Metro social media.

Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.

To learn more about Visit Hickory Metro (Hickory-Conover Tourism Development Authority) visit www.visithickorymetro.com and follow Visitor Hickory Metro on social media.

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HMCC & CVB LogoNTTW 2023 Logo