Tasty treats, local crafts, hot deals and more await visitors to South Carolina's nine Welcome Centers this year during National Tourism Week.
National Tourism Week was established by Congress in 1983 and is being celebrated this year from May 10 to May 18. The Welcome Centers participate by inviting local merchants, artisans, motels, merchants and tourism attractions to come by and meet and greet travelers in the Palmetto State.
This year's celebration of National Tourism Week also includes marking the 40th anniversary of the Welcome Center program in the state.
The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) operates Welcome Centers just inside the state line on each of the interstates as well as at Santee on Interstate 95 and on U.S. 17 at Little River near Myrtle Beach.
National Tourism Week is sponsored by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) to help promote a wider appreciation of travel and tourism as a major U.S. industry vital to fostering a positive image of America and contributing to the nation's economic quality of life.
For the second year in a row, National Tourism Week also includes a joint promotion by AOL Travel and TIA. Travel throughout America is being featured on the special Web site, which also includes videos and photos submitted by everyday people from their hometowns and family journeys. The site is available by clicking on the link now displayed near the top of the home page of South Carolina's official state tourism Web site at www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com.
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For more information on National Tourism Week in South Carolina, contact Marion Edmonds, SCPRT's director of communications, at 803-734-1370 or medmonds@scprt.com.