(Bucks County, PA) - From May 2-10, Visit Bucks County (VBC), the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County, PA, will participate in National Travel and Tourism Week with a full lineup of events to celebrate Bucks County's thriving tourism and hospitality industry. For more than 30 years, the U.S. Travel Association has hosted National Travel and Tourism Week with destinations all over the country staging rallies, hosting events and educating local communities about the impact of tourism.

Nationally, according to the U.S. Travel Association, travel generates $2.1 trillion for the U.S. economy and supports 15 million jobs-one in every nine American jobs. Here in Bucks County, tourism is making a major impact too.

According to Tourism Economics and Visit Philadelphia, visitor spending in Bucks County generates:

• $895 million in local economic impact
• $122 million in federal, state and local taxes
• Tourism supports 11,670 jobs locally

This year, VBC will mark National Travel and Tourism Week with multiple events, as well as personal visits to several Bucks County attractions, lodging properties, restaurants and shops throughout the week.

Tuesday, May 5:

National Travel and Tourism Day Celebration- Invite only event with VBC partners/media/stakeholders

During this celebration at Peddler's Village from 9-11 a.m., the tourism office will recognize five outstanding tourism and hospitality professionals in Visit Bucks County's annual Travel and Tourism Week Awards. The award categories include: Hospitality Leadership, Guest Services Excellence, Rising Star, Community Service and Dedicated Partner.

VBC vice president Paul Bencivengo will also share a brief presentation unveiling this year's marketing campaign and highlight the top 10 reasons the tourism office is excited about the 2015 tourism season and beyond.

Wednesday May 6:

Get a FREE kids cup of Uncle Dave's Homemade Ice Cream at Shady Brook Farm- Open to the public

The scoop's on us! VBC, Shady Brook Farm and Uncle Dave's Homemade Ice Cream partner for a fun family-friendly event celebrating tourism from 4-7 p.m. at Shady Brook Farm. Uncle Dave's Homemade Ice Cream will be serving FREE kids cups of ice cream to all attendees as visitors get the scoop on tourism in Bucks County. This event will be held rain or shine and is free and open to the public! Bring the whole family to celebrate the kickoff to tourism season in Bucks County.

Friday, May 8:

Start your day with breakfast from Visit Bucks County, plus win FREE tickets to Bucks County attractions- Open to the Public

On Friday, the Bucks County Visitor Centers in Bensalem (3207 Street Rd. Bensalem, PA 19020) and Quakertown (Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce building- 21 N. Main St. Quakertown, PA 18951) will open its doors to the public for FREE breakfast and coffee from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

The tourism office will also be offering visitors the chance to choose at random an envelope (while supplies last) filled with surprise tickets, discounts and certificates to Bucks County attractions and restaurants.

For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week, please check out VisitBucksCounty.com/TourismWeek.

Contact: Jessica Lawlor
Communications Manager, Visit Bucks County
215 639 0300 ext. 227
JessicaL@visitbuckscounty.com

About Visit Bucks County

Visit Bucks County (VBC) is the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County. The tourism office, with more than 450 tourism/hospitality partners throughout Bucks County, promotes all there is to see and do to potential visitors and residents. In addition to consumer travel, Visit Bucks County targets sports tournaments, motorcoach groups, meetings, special events and weddings. For more information on VBC activities call 1-800-836-BUCKS, visit VisitBucksCounty.com or stop by the Bucks County Visitor Center located at 3207 Street Road in Bensalem (adjacent to the entrance to PARX Casino). The Visitor Center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is easily accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Route 1 and Interstate 95.