Visit Quad Cities Moves Travel Forward This National Travel and Tourism Week
May 03, 2023
Quad Cities (Wednesday, May 3, 2023) — National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, is May 7-13 with the theme #TravelForward. It spotlights the essential role travel plays in driving economic growth and innovation. In 2022, the U.S. travel industry generated a $2.6 trillion economic output and $160 billion in federal, state and local taxes.
“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.”
Visit Quad Cities, the region’s official destination management and marketing organization (DMMO), is a leader in generating non-resident revenues that positively impact households, businesses, and the public sector in the QC. Tourism saves each household in the Quad Cities an average of nearly $1,300 in taxes a year.
Visitors generate tourism revenue during day trips, overnight stays, and when traveling to our regional destination for meetings, conventions, sports events, and group tours. This revenue comes in many forms, including hotel rooms, dining, shopping, admissions, gaming, entertainment, and even a stop at a gas station.
“Travel, and the numerous benefits it provides communities around the U.S., is an important message we must all continue to share,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “Travel, tourism, and non-resident revenues build economies and communities. Adequately supporting destination marketing and tourism as regional priorities is critical to strengthening our community’s future position. Tourism is a vitally important economic development driver and continues to deliver results for the QC.”
In 2021, the QC saw growth in tourism’s total value as it reached $1.14B and supported 8,618 local jobs. The economic results from tourism directly boost the Quad Cities’ quality of life and place. Tourism is cash-in-hand economic development and drives public sector revenues, strengthening our community’s culture and identity, and sustaining jobs.
At the same time, tourism is a hyper-competitive space with many destinations competing for attention from potential visitors. The partners who support the mission of Visit Quad Cities help put the QC on a more level playing field to attract more visitors and introduce our brand to a broader audience.
Visit Quad Cities continues to meet and exceed quality and performance industry standards with its certification through the globally-recognized Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). Visit Quad Cities is one of the over 200 destination organizations with DMAP recognition.
Visit Quad Cities and the region’s Tourism Master Plan help lead how the Quad Cities will become more tourism-ready in a 21st century economy. The 17 core recommendations and 92 action items outlined in the plan, introduced in May 2020, continue to serve as guideposts for the public and private sectors. The plan focuses on destination promotion, programming, governance, development, and stewardship.
Last spring, Visit Quad Cities launched the Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) program. This program further activates and strengthens tourism while building brand champion depth. Today, close to 100 CTAs work closely with Visit Quad Cities to deliver a unique customer service experience and Midwestern hospitality. The CTA program is excellent for building resident pride, workforce training, and expanding a Quad Cities knowledge base. The CTA program is an integral part of the Tourism Master Plan for the Quad Cities.
About National Travel and Tourism Week
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 a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries.
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine charged with driving economic opportunity through tourism, building our authentic brand, telling & selling the Quad Cities story, and enhancing Quad Citizens’ quality of life and quality of place.
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Media Contact: Charlotte Doehler-Morrison, VP Marketing & Communications, Visit Quad Cities, 309-736-6821