As a $1.3 trillion industry in the United States, travel and tourism has a major, significant and increasingly positive impact on the national economy. And, as the tourism and travel industries prepare to celebrate the 25th annual National Tourism Week May 10-18, the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is busy doing its part to be a part of this national celebration. This year’s theme for the Travel Industry America’s Silver Anniversary is, “Discover Great American Traditions.”
Giant Tecolote Ranunculus
One of Carlsbad’s local traditions for visitors coming to this California coastal community is breakfast or lunch at Al’s Café in the Village. This hometown diner-style setting, “gives folks a chance to slow down, relax and enjoy the moment,” said Kurt Burkhart, Executive Director of the Carlsbad CVB. “Dining is a huge part of the visitor experience,” the tourism director said. Joining in this year’s local celebration of tourism, Al’s Café in the Village, located at 795 Carlsbad Village Drive, is offering up samples of his yummy, California coastal homemade fudge. Visitors can stop by from Monday through Thursday of next week, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Fridays 7:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Most likely, Al will be there with his trademark smile and a welcoming handshake.
Visitors are also invited to stop by The Bwarie Gift Basket Company, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive in the Village Faire Center, to sample some extraordinarily unique and tasty specialty foods that can only be found at Bwarie Gift Basket Company. Visitors should also check out the incredible display of custom gift baskets. Owner, Tom Bwarie, will offer the tasty samples to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., May 15 – 17 in honor of National Tourism Week.
National Tourism Week in Carlsbad.
On Tuesday, May 14, the Carlsbad City Council will present a proclamation to the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.visitcarlsbad.com recognizing that tourism is a vital industry for Carlsbad and will proclaim May 10 – 18 as, “National Tourism Week in Carlsbad.” Council activities begin at 6:00 p.m. that night, located at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.
Beginning on May 12 and running through the 16th, the Visitor Information Center’s Hospitality Ambassadors will be serving up samples of Al’s famous fudge to all visitors, daily. The public is invited to stop by the Center at 400 Carlsbad Village Drive, enjoy some fudge and chat with our ambassadors. Each will all be wearing a red button that proudly declares, “Tourism Works 4 Carlsbad.” These ambassadors expertly staff the front desk and are at the ready to answer any question or provide directional assistance to visitors and local residents.
In addition to satisfying the sweet tooth, the first 100 visitors to the Visitor Information Center will receive, at no charge, a special limited edition license plate holder that features the now-famous Carlsbad beach icons.
The CVB along, with Carlsbad’s only boutique hotel, West Inn & Suite, have teamed up to invite members of the local tourism and hospitality industry to join in a “Celebration of Carlsbad’s Travel & Tourism Industry,” on May 14, National Tourism Day. Invited guests will enjoy an evening with their industry colleagues along with festive libations and tasty appetizers served poolside at West Inn & Suites.
According to Burkhart, “The many benefits of visitors to Carlsbad is that tourism positively impacts nearly every segment of this area’s economy, and we are working diligently to continue marketing our family-friendly destination to an even greater number of potential visitors.”
Nationally, tourism has a large economic footprint. Travel Industry of America estimates that Americans will take 328 million leisure trips between June and August. Tax revenue produced by the travel and tourism industry, saves the typical American family $995 in taxes annually, which translates to a more than a month’s worth of groceries for a family of four. And, in nearly every state and local economy, tourism is one of the top three retail industry clusters, making it one of this country’s largest employers.