NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – As the 34th annual National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) approaches, Southeast Volusia County and the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau is actively preparing for a celebration luncheon to acknowledge the local and national economic benefits of travel and what it means to American jobs and personal well-being.

New Smyrna Beach's National Tourism Week Luncheon will be held during the 34th annual National Travel and Tourism Week (May 7-13) hosted by the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau. Local community and business leaders as well as media and hospitality officials are all invited to attend the National Tourism Week Luncheon, which will be held at the Brannon Civic Center in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on May 10, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

The New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau will also rally at the Daytona Beach International Airport on May 8 to welcome passengers arriving in Volusia County and thanking them for traveling during National Tourism Week. Travelers will receive goodies and treats from the three tourism bureaus in Volusia County including West Volusia, the Daytona Beach area and the New Smyrna Beach area. In addition to the airport rally and the luncheon, the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau will participate in chat about tourism week on Volusia Today which is a public information radio program brought to you by Volusia County Government. Volusia Today's tourism week program will air on Tuesday, May 9 at 8:30 a.m. on WNDB 1150 AM in Daytona Beach.

This year's theme of NTTW is to show the different faces of travel through personal stories told by industry professionals. It shines a spotlight on the people that make up America's travel industry and showcases the diverse workforce in the local community ranging from hotel and restaurant employees, to attraction and retail workers. Here is a quick look at some of the numbers:

• 41,000 jobs are supported by travel and tourism in Volusia County
• Travel and tourism generated $ 1,835,947 in local tax revenue for Southeast Volusia County in the 2015-2016 fiscal year

These local figures show an important part of travel's economic importance in the local community.

“We want our local industry partners, the community and elected officials to understand the true importance of the travel and tourism industry,” says New Smyrna Beach Area CVB Executive Director Debbie Meihls. “Tourism plays a huge role in not only Volusia County but it has a tremendous impact in the New Smyrna Beach Area as well. Countless businesses and jobs are supported by all of our visitors and we are very honored to help promote the area to domestic and international travelers.”

In addition to its benefits for the local economy, travel can also have a positive effect on personal well-being for residents and visitors of New Smyrna Beach. Numerous research studies have confirmed the positive health effects of travel and time off, from reducing the risk of heart disease to decreasing depression.

 “Our industry is one that relies on human interaction,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, the umbrella organization representing the U.S. travel industry. “Whether it's the front desk concierge at a hotel, the tour guide in a city's historic district, or the CEO of a destination marketing organization, our people are what make America a great place to visit, and keep our economy strong. This National Travel and Tourism Week, we're saluting the people behind the travel industry, and calling on our nation's leaders to prioritize travel-friendly legislation, for the sake of millions of American workers.”

“We are very excited to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week in our area,” says Meihls. “The luncheon on May 10 will be a great gathering to endorse the economic benefits of the travel industry as well as include a special treat for attendees, which consists of unveiling our new brand to the community presented by our advertising agency, TURKEL Brands.”

Communities around the nation will be celebrating the travel and tourism industry during the second week of May. To learn more about the 2017 National Tourism Week Luncheon held in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, please reach out to Megan DeBello at Megan@visitnsbfla.com.

About New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach possesses a hometown quality reflected in its architecture, 13 miles of pristine beach, recreational inland waterways, eclectic restaurant scenes and friendly community of residents. Accommodations here range from charming bed and breakfast inns to family-size condominium units and oceanfront hotels. Visitors and locals constantly enjoy frequent art shows, annual festivals, historical and cultural sites filled with rich history and many unique boutiques, galleries and sidewalk cafes scattered throughout Canal Street and Flagler Avenue. The New Smyrna Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a variety of informational resources readily available for both local residents and out-of-town business and leisure travelers. Residents and visitors can learn about the area's many options for fun, dining, shopping, overnight accommodations, attractions, recreation and more.

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