I can remember counting down the days until school let out and summer began. The excitement grew every day we marked another day off the calendar with a big bold X. I was a Florida girl then. Summer meant long days at the beach, swimming in every pool in the neighborhood like musical chairs, and movies every Saturday in the cool, dark of the downtown theatre. It was there I met the likes of Cornelius, ZIra, Dr. Zaius and the others from the Planet of the Apes.
I was raised on the tourism teat, nurtured by the master marketer, Walt Disney World. I watched Orlando burst from a cow-town of 100,000 to one of the top visited destinations in the world. I’m glad I live in Arkansas.
This year the U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow was held in my old stomping grounds, Orlando, Florida. The event gathers travel pundits and travel journalists in a trade-show conference that’s considered the largest generator of “Visit USA” travel. The event drew close to 5,000 travel buyers from more than 70 countries.
Arkansas’ tribe was represented at the Pow Wow by Arkansas Parks and Tourism. One goal, of course, was to catch the eye and cast it toward The Natural State. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the business of tourism puts about $5.7 Billion in Arkansas’ pockets every year, creating nearly 63,000 jobs with a $1.1 billion payroll. (Florida generates $70.5 billion!)
Suffice it to say, tourism is big business. But all I really want to do is count down the days to summer vacation. In this month’s issue of Biz2Biz we premier our “Downtime Destinations” travel section.
Our launch explores the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, one of the top “must-see” destinations, and a truly one-of-a-kind wonder of the world.
Every quarter, we plan to give you an inside, up close look at a vacation destination, in the hopes of encouraging you to use all your vacation days.
Studies show that we are all better for the downtime we take from work. That includes small business owners who think time off is impossible. Studies show that vacations are just downright good for us. We return to work feeling more productive, rested and rejuvenated, closer to our families and filled with life-long memories.
It’s summer, kids. Get out and go!
