2022 NTTW: The Future of Travel from U.S. Travel on Vimeo.

Celebrating Chattanooga's Travel & Tourism Industry

In conjunction with the U.S. Travel Association, the Chattanooga Tourism Co. celebrates the 39th annual National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), May 1-7, 2022. The week-long celebration will include events and initiatives focused on raising awareness and restoring hospitality jobs, reconnecting our community with industry partners, and highlighting local travel and tourism employees. 

In 1983, Congress created NTTW to elevate the economic power of travel in the United States. Today, it is organized by the U.S. Travel Association, the national non-profit organization representing all components of the American travel industry. 

Rebuilding Our Workforce 

Travel and tourism is an essential driver for businesses and communities across our country, providing millions of jobs and spurring growth and demand. Each year, Hamilton County sees 15+ million visitors who spend $1.5 billion in our community. On an average day, we welcome 43,000 visitors in town; 15,000 of those visitors spend the night in our hotels and spend $4.1 Million per day. Visitor spending is taxed, and those taxes result in each household saving $868 on their property tax bill each year. As a vital part of our community, the hospitality industry is the foundation of a healthy workforce, supporting 30,000 jobs locally.  

The Chattanooga Tourism Co. is committed to facilitating recovery and rebuilding the industry workforce for a promising future. Careers in Chattanooga’s travel and tourism industry span various interests, from attraction ride operators and hotel management to mixologists and tour guides. To find open hospitality career opportunities in Chattanooga, visit visitchattanooga.com/careers. 

National Travel and Tourism Week Events:

May 1-7, 2022: 

#FutureOfTravel 

Connect on social media and celebrate NTTW by using the hashtag #FutureofTravel. Be sure to TURN TWITTER RED on Tuesday, May 3, by posting a red #FutureOfTravel graphic or photo to your Twitter feed.  

Go Red for Travel and Tourism  

Show your Chattanooga pride and appreciation for travel and tourism industry employees by “painting” the city red. Go red by wearing red clothes, sharing red images on social media, tying red balloons or ribbon to your entrance, adding red to your window displays, serving a specialty red cocktail, and more!  

Sunday, May 1 – The #FutureofTravel is in Person  

Travel and Tourism Day at the Chattanooga Lookouts Game | 2:15 pm 

We are kicking off NTTW with a family fun Lookouts game to help reconnect our community! Gather in person with us and cheer on the Chattanooga Lookouts as they take on the Tennessee Smokies at AT&T Field. The game will begin with the first pitch thrown out by Barry White, CEO of Chattanooga Tourism Co., and will offer fans opportunities to learn more about Chattanooga’s travel and tourism industry during pre-game activities and by visiting our Visitors Center Car parked in the front plaza. Purchase tickets here. 

Monday, May 2 – The #FutureofTravel is Facilitating Recovery 

Welcome Center I-75 Traveler Appreciation Event | 1-4 pm 

Chattanooga Tourism Co. will welcome travelers into Chattanooga with giveaways and travel inspiration information at the I-75 Welcome Center, northbound at mile marker 0.7. Travelers can learn more about their impact on our local economy, find information on open hospitality jobs, and receive a delicious, locally made MoonPie as a small token of our appreciation by stopping by the Chattanooga Tourism Co. booth. 

Industry Night | Times Vary

On Monday evening, we toast to our travel and tourism employees in appreciation for their hard work and celebration of their success as we continue to facilitate our industry’s recovery. Multiple local restaurants and bars all over town will offer discounts on food and drinks to travel and tourism employees with proof of employment. Industry Night takes place every week at different locations.

Industry Night Participants:  

  • Pax Breu Ruim - $1.50 Pints Coors Banquet, $5 Weekly Tipple Specials 

  • Exile Off Main Street - $1 Off All Beverages 

  • Cherry Street Tavern - $1 Pints, $1 Off Tavern Menu 

  • Whiskey Thief (Industry Night on Tuesday, May 3) - $10 Old Fashioned, $7 Boiler Maker, $5 Daiquiris, $3 Budweiser 

We will continue to update as details are confirmed. If you plan to offer an Industry Night discount, please email Hannah Hammon to be included. 

Tuesday, May 3 – The #FutureofTravel is More Inclusive 

Welcome Center I-24 Nickajack Traveler Appreciation Event | 1-2 pm 

Welcome Center I-24 Tiftonia Traveler Appreciation Event | 2:15-4 pm 

Chattanooga Tourism Co. will welcome travelers from all over the world into Chattanooga with giveaways and travel inspiration information at the I-24 Nickajack Welcome Center, westbound at mile marker 160, and the I-24 Tiftonia Welcome Center, eastbound at mile marker 171.8. Travelers can learn more about how Chattanooga prioritizes inclusiveness, find information on open hospitality jobs, and receive a delicious, locally made MoonPie as a small token of our appreciation by stopping by the Chattanooga Tourism Co. Booth. 

TURN TWITTER RED | Times Vary 

Turn Twitter red by posting a red #FutureOfTravel graphic or photo to your Twitter feed. 

Saturday, May 7 – The #FutureofTravel is Supporting the Industry 

Show Your Support Saturday 

Chattanooga Tourism Co. encourages our community to show its support of our travel and tourism industry and shop locally at the Chattanooga River Market, dine-in or takeout at your favorite local restaurant, book a behind-the-scenes tour at the Tennessee Aquarium, laugh with Jeff Allen at the Comedy Catch, enjoy live music by Tim Lewis on Station Street, and just be a tourist for the day.  

Thank you for celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week with us!