Gaston County Celebrates the ‘Power of Travel’
Updated: May 3, 2021
Belmont, NC — National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the critical role that travel will play in driving economic recovery efforts and building the path forward through 2021’s theme Power of Travel.
Gaston County Travel & Tourism salutes 'Power of Travel' this week!
We want to see you! Share photos of your favorite public places within the county to #GoGastonNC. Three winners daily, chosen at random, to receive our "Gateway To Gastonia t-shirt.
Whether you are hiking, biking, or paddling along the Carolina Thread Trail, or exploring one of our must see attractions such as Crowders Mountain, Daniel Stowe, or Schiele Museum, or enjoying our unique dining experiences, shopping, and art and culture within our vibrant and walkable downtowns, we want to see you.
Together we can build the path forward through the, Power of Travel!
National Tourism Week
Celebrated the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 38th annual NTTW (May 2-8) arrives at an opportune moment to recognize the importance to the U.S. economy of initiating a post-pandemic travel recovery.
“NTTW takes on a special significance this year as the travel industry looks to rebound quickly from the pandemic and accelerate recovery efforts,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “The past year was incredibly challenging, but we saw the full power of the travel industry on display in the way we united and supported one another through this crisis.”
Before the pandemic, visitors to Gaston County contributed $291 million annually in direct spending, supporting 2,000 jobs and delivering $21 million in state and local tax collections in 2019.
Said Michael Applegate, Director of Gaston County Travel & Tourism: "Despite the hardships of the last year, we are ready and eager to welcome back visitors and help drive Gaston County’s recovery efforts. This week is an opportunity to remind visitors and residents of the incredible contributions the travel industry makes to our local economy and our community’s identity.”
Michael Applegate, Director
Gaston County Travel & Tourism
704-825-4044
michael.applegate@gastongov.com
About Gaston County Travel & Tourism: Gaston County Travel & Tourism optimizes our county’s brand experiences to drive visitation and partner economic growth. In 2019, visitors spent $291 million in Gaston County, supporting 2,000 jobs and generating $21 million in state and local tax collections.
