National Travel and Tourism Week

National Tourism Week is celebrated in the first week of May. This year, that means it takes place from May 19 to 25th.

It is a week to remind everyone of the importance of traveling and seeking some kind of escape from normalcy., There is some truth to saying “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” and traveling is an opportunity to make our lives more fun.

This week is also meant to celebrate the travel and tourism industry that strives to create memorable experiences for tourists. It provides everyone an opportunity to reflect on how tourism helps boost the economy an highlights local cultures.

Find More info about this week from the National Organization themselves HERE!

Find Things to Do in White Pine County for National Tourism Week HERE!

History of National Tourism Week

Tourism began with the idea of the Pilgrimage, originating in Eastern civilizations before spreading to Western. About 2,000 years ago, there were many pilgrimages to the early Buddhist sites, around what we currently know to be Nepal. Pilgrimages to Mecca were also a popular ritual that is still practiced to this day.

In the west, the custom of pilgrimage began to flourish from about 1660, and with the invention of different modes of transport, they followed a standard itinerary. This custom was seen as an educational opportunity and a rite of passage. This was reserved for the British nobility and wealthy landed gentry.

In the 18th century, after the invention of the railway, the Grand Tour became a popular tourist activity for upper-class students. The Grand Tour offered a journey to cultural sites in France, Germany, and Italy. Over the next few years, the tour encompassed many other European sites.

By the 19th century, journeys for health, leisure, and culture became common practice among the European middle classes and were ways for them to gain cultural capital. On these trips, people could socialize and also show their social standing. During this time, tourists got used to using guidebooks and travel companies that created itineraries. Tourism also brought about the development of art and souvenir markets, as well as transport and accommodation systems, like hotels and lodging.

From the 20th century onward, shipping lines also promoted international tourism. They encouraged tourists to take cruises and travel from the Norwegian fjords to the Caribbean. Between the World Wars, many upper-class Americans traveled by air and sea to a variety of destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.