29 Apr Pensacola’s tourism impact to be spotlighted during National Travel & Tourism Week

Visit Pensacola to host Olympic-style games, airport rally, hospitality luncheon and open houses and launch new interactive campaigns during weeklong celebration

By Katie King – katie@ewbullock.com

April 29, 2016 –Pensacola, Fl—Pensacola will join cities across the United States in celebrating the significant impact travel and tourism have on local economies during National Travel and Tourism Week, May 2-7, 2016.

“This week really puts our local tourism industry in the spotlight and gives us the chance to emphasize how valuable this sector is to our community and economy,” said Steve Hayes, president of Visit Pensacola.

“Our average visitor spends about 8.5 nights here per trip and more than $150 a day at our local businesses – from restaurants to shops to grocery stores and attractions,” he furthered. “In 2015 we had 1.68 million unique visitors.”

The latest statistics show the tourism industry in Pensacola is growing at an above average rate. Revenue generated from the Tourism Development Tax (TDT) increased by more than 9 percent in fiscal year 2015, totaling $9.4 million. That increase is a direct reflection of the tourism industry’s collaborative efforts and overall marketing.

Total direct visitor spending in 2015 totaled $849 million. The tourism industry supports more than 16,000 jobs in Escambia County alone and 20,000 in the Pensacola MSA. Sales tax revenue from direct visitor spending generated more than $61 million in tax revenue to help fund county government services, education and tourism development.

Throughout the week, Visit Pensacola will host events aimed at showcasing Pensacola’s travel and tourism assets and energizing the community.

Monday, May 2, 2016 – Frontline Olympics
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium.  Tourism industry teams to compete in five sporting events.

 
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 – Travel Rally  10:45 a.m. to noon at the Pensacola International Airport.  Members of the travel and tourism industry will be welcoming arriving guests and residents.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 – National Travel & Tourism Week Luncheon    11:30 to 1 p.m. at the New World Landing.  Visit Pensacola to recognize the value of tourism industry frontline staff members with the Hospitality Heroes Awards and the value tourism brings to Escambia County.

Friday, May 6, 2016 – Visitor Center Open Houses  10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key Visitors Centers.  Tourism Ambassadors are available to help you discover exciting places, events and programs to enjoy here in the Pensacola Bay Area.

Saturday, May 7, 2016 – Campaigns Launch
Visit Pensacola launches two new interactive tourism campaigns — “Explore Pensacola” and “Pensagram.”