The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, the official destination marketing organization for McKean County, invites the public to join in the celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, May 3- 9.
The celebration honors the spirit of travel, which brings joy and memorable experiences to millions, year after year. People from all backgrounds and all walks of life connect through the spirit of travel.
The spirit of travel isn’t only found in far-off places. Direct traveler spending added $183.4 million dollars into the local economy of McKean County in 2018, providing employment for 1,203 residents, the visitors bureau reports.
When all residents embrace the spirit of travel by supporting local businesses and helping their neighbors, they are also playing a key role in rebuilding their community — and America. Travel can be the leading edge of the recovery from COVID-19, as it was for the Great Recession — but only if all Americans embrace their right to travel, encouraging people to visit the local region, stay the night and explore our communities and local businesses, according to the visitors bureau.
The hospitality industry was brought to a halt by COVID-19 in a way that could have never been planned for or expected. It is hard to imagine McKean County without those who come to hike its trails, fish its streams and enjoy the wonderful spectrum of year-round outdoor recreation offered by the Allegheny National Forest, the Allegany State Park, and of course, the Kinzua Bridge State Park, home of McKean County’s single most visited attraction: the Kinzua Sky Walk.
Studies show that Americans are still expecting to travel this year but anticipate their timing to change, according to the visitors bureau. It is the tourism spending which will generate much needed revenue to our communities, restaurants, small businesses, retail shops, hotels, motels and campgrounds.
Spending will start with residents returning to their local restaurants, shops and other businesses, and will be followed by residents traveling around the state, moving spending from their local communities to neighboring cities and towns, and finally the ability to travel more broadly. All the local communities within McKean County — and the region — can benefit from the spirit of travel.
The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau encourages people this week to recognize the industry’s strength, selflessness and resiliency. Many local restaurants closed for inside dining are undertaking special events to help generate donations for local food banks. When times are uncertain, the only certainty is the spirit of travel, giving and hospitality will not be shattered, according to the bureau.
How to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week?
Be sure to always welcome other residents and visitors alike with a smile and kind, friendly hospitality. Help support local restaurants by ordering take-out and delivery. Shop small, do online ordering from local shops currently closed, and when they reopen shop local to support businesses until travel from outside the region returns.
Post reviews and photos of local restaurants, museums, shops and other attractions on Google, and also on TripAdvisor, Facebook and Yelp. Share local social media posts with family and friends.
Spend a few minutes to be inspired by watching the video “The Spirit of Travel” hosted on Facebook on @ANFVisitorsBureau. And most important of all, embrace the spirit of travel!
