Summer Media Preview: Vermont Tourism Tour Celebrates National Tourism Week

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

Celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week, the Vermont Department of Tourism invites media to five press events showcasing summer’s prime events and attributes. From South to North; from cows and culture, to trout and trails, media are invited to join the Vermont Tourism Tour to hear the latest news on sports, arts, culture, food and land:

VERMONT TOURISM TOUR: PRESS STOP 1
Brattleboro: A Designated Downtown Monday, May 7
With its moovelous Strolling of the Heifers, annual Literary Festival, monthly Gallery Walk and status as a National Main Street Program Downtown, Brattleboro was voted number five among the 100 Best Small Towns in America, number 11 in the Top 20 Best Small Towns by The Smithsonian Magazine and named number 13 among the Top 25 Small Cities for Art In America with A Population Under 30,000.
Location: River Garden Welcome Center: Time: 11:00 a.m.
Speakers: Vermont Tourism Commissioner Megan Smith, Vermont Downtowns Program Leanne Tingay, Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jerry Goldberg, Building a Better Brattleboro Andrea Livermore, Orly Munzing, founder of the Stroll of the Heifers and Sandy Rouse, Chair of the Literary Festival.

VERMONT TOURISM TOUR: PRESS STOP 2
Manchester means Music: Tuesday, May 8
From classical violinists to world-class stage productions and Vinyasa flow rhythms, the Manchester region of southern Vermont marches to its own vibrant beat this summer with the Manchester Music Festival, Wanderlust at Stratton Mountain Resort and Hills Alive! collaborative festival. Media are encouraged to view the latest exhibit and theatre space.
Location: Yester House historic mansion, at the Southern VT Arts Center, Time: 11:00 a.m.
Speakers: Vermont Tourism Commissioner Megan Smith, Manchester and the Mountains Region Chamber Director Berta Maginniss, Artistic Director of the Dorset Theatre Festival, Dina Janis and Stratton Mountain Resort Wanderlust representatives.

VERMONT TOURISM TOUR: PRESS STOP 3
Vermont’s Outdoors: Trails and Recreation in Newport, Active by Nature, Wednesday, May 9
Newport, in the Northeast Kingdom, is on the shores of the international Lake Memphremagog, with nearby Jay Peak mountain adventures and an abundance of wildlife, parks and recreation to enjoy. Home to oldest long-distance hiking trail in the nation, Vermont’s Green Mountain Club is pleased to announce the opening of the first leg in new trails being built in the Kingdom Heritage Lands. At 11:25 a.m., fishing and kayaking demos will be available to media at the City Dock. At noon, enjoy a Taste of Newport lunch at The East Side, hosted by Newport City Renaissance Corporation (RSVP please).
Location: Gateway Center, Time:  11:00 a.m.
Speakers: Vermont Tourism Deputy Commissioner Steve Cook, Newport City Renaissance Patricia Sears, Jay Peak Resort Communications Director JJ Toland and Green Mountain Club Executive Director Will Wiquist.

VERMONT TOURISM TOUR: PRESS STOP 4
Stowe, a Resort Community Full of Flavor, Introduces Celebrate Vermont: Thursday, May 10
Farms, food and communities come together with major events and world-class amenities in Stowe. Enjoy highlights from Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe Area Association and the official announcement of Celebrate Vermont Festival. View a horse-powered log pulling demonstration, enjoy lunch with Applecheek Farm, a Vermont Spirits sampling and “Lagers for loggers.” (RSVP please)
Location: Trapp Family Lodge, Time: 11:00 a.m. Note, a mountain bike pre-ride is available at 10:00 a.m.
Speakers: Vermont Tourism Commissioner Megan Smith, Stowe Area Association President Chuck Baraw, Johannes von Trapp, Celebrate Vermont’s Charlie Dooley, and this just in: Vermont's own Rusty Dewees, the Logger.

VERMONT TOURISM TOUR: PRESS STOP 5
Celebrate Vermont’s Sports Culture at The Mad Triathlon at Sugarbush Resort: Saturday, May 12
Welcome to the healthiest state, where resorts, businesses and non-profits elevate tourism, wellness and communities through sports. In fact, the quantity and attendance of triathlons and marathons in Vermont are on the rise and cycling/mountain biking trails and lift-served access continue to evolve. Hear from organizers, resort directors and cheer on hundreds of athletes as they finish this unique triathlon.
Location: The Courtyard at Lincoln Peak, Sugarbush Resort, Time: 12:00 p.m.
Speakers: Vermont Tourism Deputy Commissioner Steve Cook, Sugarbush Resort President Win Smith and VP of Marketing Candice White, Mad Triathlon at Sugarbush and Mad Marathon creator Dori Ingalls.

Why the Annual Salute to Travel and Tourism in America?
The first full week of May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984. Localized events are presented in cities and states nationwide to champion the power of travel. Tourism is a major driver of Vermont’s economy:

• Visitors make an estimated 13.7 million person trips to Vermont for leisure, business or personal travel annually.
• Direct spending by Vermont visitors for goods and services totals $1.4 billion.
• Visitor spending supports an estimated 33,530 jobs for Vermonters, approximately 11.5% of all jobs.

Travel and Tourism is one of America’s largest industries:

• Generated $1.9 trillion in economic output, with $813 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers that spurred an additional $1.1 trillion in other industries.
• Directly generated $124 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments.
• Each U.S. household would pay $1,055 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry.
• Supported 14.4 million jobs, including 7.5 million directly in the travel industry; 6.9 million in other industries. 1 out of every 9 jobs in the U.S. depends on travel and tourism.
• Travel is among the top 10 industries in 48 states in terms of employment.

As a courtesy, please RSVP with jen.butson@state.vt.us for events you plan to attend as media materials, tours, demonstrations, tastings and lunch will be available at varying locations. You are welcome and encouraged to attend every event of the Vermont Tourism Tour. Please specify special camera or interview requests, shall you have any. Come prepared for good news and great company in beautiful places.