SEBRING, Fla. (May 2, 2018) – On May 1, the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a proclamation recognizing National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) and the important role tourism provides to our local economy.

“NTTW is an annual tradition for the U.S. travel community,” said Highlands County Tourist Development Council Chairman and Highlands County Commissioner Jim Brooks.  “It’s a time when travel and tourism professionals across the country unite to celebrate the value travel holds for our economy, businesses and personal well-being.”

Tourism makes important financial contributions to Highlands County. According to VISIT FLORIDA’S most recent statistics, out-of-state direct visitor spending amounted to $150.8 million in 2016. Including indirect and induced impacts, tourism generated $242.5 million in total business sales, 2,212 jobs, $64.4 million in income, and $31.3 million in state and local tax revenues.

This year’s celebration of NTTW, which will take place May 6 – 12, marks the 35th anniversary of the 1983 congressional resolution that established NTTW—and it’s all about celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of the U.S. travel community over the course of the last several decades.

The Highlands County Tourist Development Council (TDC) plans to honor National Travel & Tourism Week by recognizing just a few of our locals who help drive the Highlands County tourism industry and are the faces that make our local tourism industry so special.

Seven faces of Highlands County’s tourism industry will be featured each day of NTTW in the Highlands News Sun and on the TDC’s social media channels (@VisitSebring) with the hashtag #NTTW18.