Visit Oxford celebrates the US Travel Association's National Tourism Week

Photo courtesy of Talbert Toole.

Visit Oxford is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week May 6-12, which is a program put on by the U.S. Travel Association to promote awareness of tourism in communities and the value it brings to the local economy. This year, Visit Oxford has partnered with local organizations to promote tourism in Oxford and to educate its local partners on tourism resources and all Oxford has to offer.

“We are really excited about the events we have planned throughout the week,” said Jessica Lynch, partnerships manager at Visit Oxford. “It’s a great way to kick off summer travel, and the timing is perfect with it being graduation week at the University of Mississippi with so many people traveling to Oxford.”
Visit Oxford has also partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development office to offer 15 percent discount card with participating retailers valid only during National Tourism Week. For a list of participating businesses, people can pick up a card at the Visit Oxford office (1013 East Jackson Ave.) or the Chamber of Commerce office (299 Jackson Ave. West).
The week kicks off to promote tourism awareness by asking community members to wear red on Tuesday, May 8 “For the Love of Oxford.” Visit Oxford asks the community to tag them on social media (@visitoxfordms) wearing red. Visit Oxford will also be holding a contest where participants are encouraged to take pictures of their favorite foods from Oxford’s culinary scene. By tagging Visit Oxford on social media, participants will have a chance to win a prize. Celebrate Oxford’s literary heritage with Square Books book signing at Off Square Books with Kaitlyn Sage Patterson’s book The Diminished on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9 highlights “Did You Know” and fun facts about the tourism industry. Visitors of Oxford spent $174 million in the 2017 fiscal year, an increase of 13.3 percent from the year prior. Over 2,200 jobs in Oxford-Lafayette County are directly related to the travel and tourism industry.
Thursday, May 10, Visit Oxford is sponsoring a concert on the Courthouse lawn from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
Visit Oxford and RebelWell are hosting a free yoga class in the Gallery at the University of Mississippi Museum at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 11. A free walking tour of downtown will leave from the Visit Oxford Welcome Center at 3 p.m. The Double Decker bus will also be giving tours at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call Visit Oxford to reserve your ticket today at 662-232-2477.
“National Tourism Week is a great opportunity for us to showcase the great town we live in and all it has to offer to visitors and locals alike,” Lynch said.

Hotty Toddy staff report
For more questions or comments email us at hottytoddynews@gmail.com.