Celebrating the Power of Travel in Johnston County During National Travel & Tourism Week
Each year in early May, the travel industry comes together to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) — a time to spotlight how travel supports our economy, builds community, and connects us to the world. This year’s theme, “Travel Powers America,” is especially meaningful here in Johnston County, where tourism plays a vital role in strengthening our small towns and supporting the businesses that make JoCo shine.
At the Johnston County Visitors Bureau (JCVB), we see the power of travel every day—from visitors shopping at our outlets, exploring historic sites, enjoying our parks and trails, or sampling local flavors. In 2023 alone, Johnston County tourism generated over $298 million in visitor spending, supported more than 2,000 local jobs, and contributed over $21 million in combined state and local taxes. That’s the power of welcoming guests into our community.
The mission of the JCVB is the marketing and development of the destination’s brand experiences to targeted visitor markets for economic growth and quality of place. The Visitors Bureau is 100% funded by the 3% room tax paid by visitors staying in local accommodations; no locally paid property tax or fees in the county are included in the Visitors Bureau’s budget. The JCVB works annually with over 800 travel and tourism partners in the county to promote JoCo and its towns as a destination to travelers.
To celebrate NTTW this week, the JCVB’s Sales Manager, Kristin Radford, hit the road with JoCo tourism partners to visit the I-95 North and South Welcome Centers. These are the gateways for countless travelers driving through North Carolina on I-95, and Johnston County sits right in the middle - Exits 107 to 79! Kristin met with road trippers, vacationers, and business travelers, sharing what makes JoCo a great place to stop and explore. She handed out visitors guides and trail maps, shared insider tips, and helped plant the seed for future trips to our charming towns, shops, and farms.
“This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are proud to celebrate the ‘Travel Powers America’ theme, as we certainly see tourism as a valuable economic engine in our community,” said Ashby Brame, VP of Marketing & Communications of the JCVB. “We are eager for visitors to explore what’s new in the county, and what there may be to rediscover - new restaurants, boutiques, cocktail bars, downtown social districts, and even over 6 miles of trails at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.”
“Whether folks are planning a weekend getaway or just stopping as they pass on through,” continued Brame, “the JCVB is eager to be part of their journey. We’re excited to keep welcoming visitors, building economic opportunity, and showing off the local spirit that makes JoCo special.”
Established in 1983, NTTW is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activity, and elevating the quality of life for everyday Americans. Want to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week and how it supports places like JoCo? Visit ustravel.org/NTTW.
