Visit Kearney Celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week - May 19-25, 2024

Kearney, NE – In celebration of the 41st Annual National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), Visit Kearney (formerly the Kearney Visitors Bureau) invites the community to join in recognizing the vital role that travel and tourism play in our economy, culture, and daily lives.

“Travel is at the heart of Kearney, powering a strong economy, creating jobs, and strengthening our community’s culture and identity,” said Roger Jasnoch, Director of Visit Kearney. “We are proud to celebrate all that travel does for our community now, and all that it will contribute in the future.”

As part of the festivities, Visit Kearney is offering a free showing of the family-friendly movie "Migration" at the historic World Theatre on Thursday, May 23, at 6:30 pm. This event is an opportunity for residents to come together and appreciate the impact of travel and tourism on our community. This movie is fitting for the occasion as Kearney is known for the spring Sandhill Crane migration and also sees several million other birds migrating through this area.

In Nebraska, tourism is the third-largest industry, with visitor spending exceeding $4.5 billion statewide. An economic impact study showed that in 2022, tourism significantly boosted employment, supporting 40,260 workers in the industry. Buffalo County ranks fourth in Nebraska for lodging tax collected, emphasizing the importance of tourism to our local economy.

The Kearney Visitors Bureau is excited to announce its rebranding as Visit Kearney. This new name aligns with our website and aims to create a more welcoming presence for both visitors and residents. In conjunction with this change, we have introduced a new logo and branding, which we are eager to showcase through our partnerships and the various events we support.

National Travel and Tourism Week, the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation. “The travel industry fuels every industry—our industry’s success is the nation’s success,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “This week is a prime opportunity to elevate the message that travel is essential to moving America’s economy forward.”

Travel Matters
• The travel industry is essential to the success of every industry and will continue to be a critical part of Kearney and Buffalo County’s economy, development, and workforce.
• Travel is an economic powerhouse for every state and destination across the country, with an economic output of $2.8 trillion, supporting 15 million American jobs.
• Travel spending generates $89 billion in state and local tax revenue annually, supporting essential services such as education, emergency response, and public safety.
• Small businesses account for more than 60% of leisure and hospitality employment.
• Growing travel leads to economic growth, benefits businesses, fosters mutual understanding, and connects the nation.

Join us in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week and acknowledging the profound impact of travel on our community.

For more information, please contact: Roger Jasnoch, Director, Visit Kearney 308-233-4359, or RJasnoch@VisitKearney.org.