Visit Pensacola Set to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of National Travel & Tourism Week May 7-13; Community Encouraged to Attend Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 7, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Stacey
(850) 434-2142
nstacey@visitpensacola.com

Pensacola, Fla. – Visit Pensacola is gearing up to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, the national annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. This year’s celebration aims to spotlight travel’s essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating diverse communities, creating fresh job opportunities, inspiring new businesses, and uniting millions of Americans in a fundamental connection—travel.

Visit Pensacola would like to encourage the Pensacola community, tourism industry, and area stakeholders to participate in daily events, including nominating
someone for the Hospitality Hero Awards.

“National Travel and Tourism week is Visit Pensacola’s chance to celebrate and educate the Escambia County Community on the impacts of tourism,” President and CEO Darien Schaefer said. “With over 22,000 people being employed and supported by tourism, we want to honor our area’s very best and invite the community to nominate someone in the industry for going above and beyond in the hospitality industry.”

Here’s a look at the week’s events.

What: Hospitality Hero Olympics: Gather your team and join Visit Pensacola for a half day relay of games followed by lunch to kick off National Travel & Tourism Week. Team space is limited. Please register
your team by April 24. Partners and community members are invited and encouraged to attend to cheer on teams.
When: Monday, May 8, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Pensacola Blue Wahoo Stadium

What: Visit Pensacola Stakeholder Breakfast: Join Visit Pensacola for a sit-down breakfast with industry vendors, partners, and stakeholders. Takeaways include tourism data, best practices, and industry trends. Please register by May 1.
When: Tuesday, May 9, 9-11:30 a.m.
Where: Palafox House

What: Tourism Gives Back Clean-up: Join Visit Pensacola for a community clean-up. Location to be announced.
When: Wednesday, May 10, 9-11 a.m.
Where: TBD

What: Hospitality Hero Awards Ceremony & Luncheon: Visit Pensacola invites the community to nominate
industry workers to be celebrated for their hard work and service throughout the year. Annually during National Travel and Tourism Week, Visit Pensacola recognizes the nominees and names the top winner in each category during the Hospitality Hero Awards Luncheon.
When: Thursday, May 11, 11 a.m.
Where: Bayview Community Center

What: Visitor Information Center Open Houses: Join Visit Pensacola at any of the visitor information centers for treats and destination information.
When: Friday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Downtown Office: 1401 E Gregory Street
Perdido Key Office: 15500 Perdido Key Drive
Pensacola Beach Office: 7 Casino Beach Boardwalk

What: Americas First Settlement Trail Urban Adventure: Join Visit Pensacola and the Americas First Settlement Trail Foundation for a fun day out in downtown Pensacola. More details and registration information coming soon.
When: Saturday, May 13
Where: Plaza Ferdinand

For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week and other events, visit www.visitpensacola.com/who-we-are/national-travel-tourism-week/.