fife, tacoma, gig harbor, lakewood, puyallup, sumner and mount rainier communities participate in national travel + tourism week
May 7-15 marked National Travel + Tourism Week. To celebrate tourism in Pierce County, members joined us at their community's visitor information center (VIC) to take part in Share Your Washington, the State's newest tourism program that encourages residents to invite friends and family to visit our great state and simultaneously support our local economy. Participating members came to their VIC dressed in attire representing their workplace and had their photo taken with the Share Your Washington sign. In just five days, we took 387 photos across Pierce County in support of Share Your Washington and generated ongoing interest in the campaign.

In addition to the seven celebrations, Fife, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Puyallup, Sumner and Pierce County city/county councils officially declared May 7-15 as Travel + Tourism Week in their communities.

National Travel + Tourism Week is a tradition first celebrated in 1984, established by U.S. Congress in 1983. Tourism is the fourth largest industry in Washington State, generating more than $15.2 billion. In 2010, conventions and tourism brought an economic impact of $900.4 million in spending and $71 million in tax receipts to Pierce County, along with 4.652 million visitors and supported 10,490 jobs.

Thank you to all who participated in this year's National Travel + Tourism Week! Your contribution to the local tourism community makes Pierce County not only a great place to visit, but a great place to live and work!

For those who were unable to take their photo during National Travel + Tourism Week, you still can! The Share Your Washington sign is available in the Tacoma Visitor Center. Bring your camera, pose with the sign and share your photo with us on Facebook.com/TravelTacoma. Invite friends and family to visit Washington State. Enter to win flights on Alaska Airlines and help support nearly 150,000 Washington jobs by sending an e-postcard today. Visit ShareYourWashington.com for details.