Suggested Event Ideas:

A creative idea can create a strong impact for a local World Tourism Day event, even with little or no budget. Consider the following suggestions to recognize World Tourism Day and your community or state's role in the worldwide travel and tourism industry:

Stage a unique photo op – Coordinate a group photo op with your CEO, board chairperson, industry leaders or front-line employees in front of a local landmark (iconic attraction, town square, capitol building, etc.) Create a sign or banner for use in the photo that highlights World Tourism Day 2008. Distribute the photo with a cutline that identifies the people involved, the impact of travel and tourism in your region and the reason they are assembled (to salute World Tourism Day) to local news outlets and travel trade publications.

Create awareness with signage – Have a low-cost banner or posters produced that says: "__(CITY/STATE NAME)__ Salutes World Tourism Day – September 27".  Hang these in high-traffic areas (visitors' centers, attractions, public buildings) in the days surrounding September 27th to maximize exposure to visitors and local residents. Since World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on September 27th, your signage can be used in future years.

Distribute Travel Industry Fact Cards – Print the TIA-produced travel industry fact cards on laser business cards (such as Avery # 5371) and include one or more in a World Tourism Day letter from your CEO to the mayor, city council, other elected officials and local stakeholders. Also, work with your finance officer to include a fact card in envelopes containing employee paychecks. NOTE: 2008 fact card will be posted soon. 

Participate in WTO's photo competition – A photo competition highlighting the UNWTO World Tourism Day theme "Tourism: Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change" presents you with an opportunity to submit photographs that showcase climate solutions in tourism. Examples include good practices that reflect how we adjust to protecting our planet from climate change and how we can alleviate its effects on the environment. Members of the U.S. travel industry are encouraged to submit photos.

Make a Public Statement to your city council or state legislature – Arrange to have your chief executive address your city council or legislature during either the public statements portion of the council meeting or as an official presentation on the agenda. World Tourism Day can provide the context for the presentation, but localize your statements to highlight the many benefits of travel to the local community.

Issue a press release – Customize TIA's press release template (click here) announcing World Tourism Day for use in your local market. Distribute it to your local media list on September 24 preceding the official event date. Tie your release to news relative to the local hospitality industry (such as attraction, air service, hotel or convention center developments).

Schedule an appearance on a local radio or TV program – Contact the producer of a popular radio show, local news talk program or television news segment and pitch them on the idea of an appearance by a representative from your local travel industry. Prepare talking points in advance and have fun with the show's host talking about the importance of this vibrant industry. Consider local issues that impact travel and tourism that may be especially timely and place them into the context of World Tourism Day.

Involve college or high school students in the hospitality sector – Provide a "shadow day" for local college or high schools students who are interested in careers related to travel and tourism (contact the school's advisor to get started). Consider it a one-day internship and plan a project that will be useful to your organization and meaningful to the participant(s). World Tourism Day provides an excellent platform to share employment opportunities with young people who are considering their career paths.