Research indicates that Americans are choosing to stay closer to home this travel season. TIA and NTHP have pooled their resources to promote events and offer special incentives for travelers, many of who are opting to forgo the big name destinations for vacations with more of a grass roots appeal. �Cities, Suburbs, and Countryside� is the theme for this year�s Preservation Week. For over fifty years, the NTHP has led the movement to preserve the nation�s heritage by protecting historic buildings. The collaborative efforts of TIA and NTHP reflect a change in priorities of many travelers.

�With Americans placing a higher value than ever on our nation�s historic and cultural icons, the timing of this partnership is invaluable,� remarked William S. Norman, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America. �It not only pulls us together as an industry but cements the natural bond between history and travel.�

This year marks the 20th anniversary of National Tourism Week (NTW). It was first observed in 1984 after Congress passed a joint resolution designating a week of festivities. This year�s celebrations kick off on See America Day, May 10, when travelers across the nation will be thanked for their continued support of the travel and tourism industry. Over 200 organizations are participating in the See America Day blitz by distributing the See America bookmarks to customers. The bookmark features the See America logo on one side with customized messages on the other side. Participants include hotels, museums, campgrounds, visitor�s bureaus, and state tourism offices. The bookmarks allow organizations to offer special deals and promotions to travelers, provide tourism information and statistics, or simply say thank you.

National Tourism Week and Preservation Week events and promotions can be viewed on a clearinghouse report at www.tia.org. Travel organizations from 40 states have reported on their plans. NTW activities include tourism week proclamation ceremonies, �be a tourist in your hometown� promotions, and discounted or free admission to local attractions. The clearinghouse report also includes �Historic Getaway� packages at some of America�s great historic hotels.

For the first time, the National Tourism Week Toolkit can be viewed at www.tia.org. The NTW Toolkit provides travel organizations the resources for planning their National Tourism Week campaign, including tips for working with the media and elected officials, sample proclamations and resolutions, and numerous event ideas.

National Tourism Week (events roundup) kicks off the summer travel season, and this year more Americans are driving to their vacation destinations. In fact, the �drive� itself is becoming an essential part of the vacation as travelers abandon the interstate to explore the nation�s many scenic highways and back roads. TIA�s recently launched See America�s Byways program offers driving itineraries, photos, and maps of over 25,000 miles of dazzling and diverse roads at www.SeeAmerica.org.

Travel Industry Association of America
TIA (www.tia.org) is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $537 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to represent the whole of the U.S. travel industry to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States.

Contact:
Cathy Keefe (Manager, Media Relations)
202-408-8422
ckeefe@tia.org , www.tia.org