By: The Muncie Visitors Bureau—
National Travel and Tourism Week is a national event when America salutes travel and tourism. Across the nation, travel and tourism professionals celebrate and promote the impactful contributions of the travel market. The Muncie Visitors Bureau will kick off local NTTW early on April 18th. The celebration will have a wrap-up event during First Thursday in DWNTWN Muncie.
Why is tourism important in Muncie and Delaware County? Yes, tourism provides unique experiences, museums, local dining, events, lodging and more. Muncie and Delaware County has all the things that create a great destination experience. Things that other communities are currently striving to achieve. We already have them! So, we challenge you to take a stay-cation and be a tourist in your own town during National Travel and Tourism Week. You might just be surprised!
Tourism also has a strong economic impact on Delaware County. According to the latest study, tourism and travel contributed $228.7 million in Delaware County’s economy in 2013 compared to $186.9 million in 2008. In 2015 $12 million dollars was spent by visitors on lodging alone in Delaware County.
Local events are:
April 18 – May 3 The Locals Choice Awards—Vote on your favorite local museum, dining, shopping and more. Voting ends Tuesday, May 3 at 6pm. Winners will be announced at First Thursday in DWNTWN Muncie.
May 2 – May 6 Cool Cat Scavenger Hunt A plush Garfield will be placed in two locations per day (one in Muncie and one in an outlying community). A series of hints will be given on Facebook to lead you to the lazy cat. Each location will have a different prize for the first person to locate Garfield.
May 3 – FAM Tours– Be a tourist in your own hometown! Take a free tour of Muncie in a MITS trolley as your tour guide shares insights about attractions and historical sites. A morning and afternoon tour will be offered. However, space is limited! You must RSVP to guarantee a seat!
Information on The Locals Choice Awards.
In The Locals Choice Awards you vote on your favorite local museum, dining, shopping and more. Voting begins April 18 and ends May 3 at 6pm. Winners will be announced at the May First Thursday in DWNTWN Muncie.
Voting is done via online only at visitmuncie.org
Rules for Voting in The Locals Choice Awards.
There are eight categories in which you can vote for your favorite local business. The categories are as follows: Museum, Recreation, Entertainment, Art, Event, Pub, Dining, and Shopping.
The champion from each category will receive an advertising package with the Muncie Visitors Bureau worth $300 as well as a beautiful crystal to place in their venue.
Winners will be announced by the Muncie Visitors Bureau during the May First Thursday in DWNTWN Muncie, May 5th at 6pm. It will take place in the Casa del Sol parking lot on Walnut Street.
You are limited to one vote per category. Vote for your favorite business from the list in each category.
You may vote one time only.
Voting opened on Monday April, 18 and will close at 6pm on Tuesday, May 2.
A random grand prize winner will be drawn from voters who submit their email address and opt-in for the drawing. The grand prize to be awarded will be a Great American Ball Park Package including two (2) scout seat tickets and an overnight stay for the Reds vs Brewers game on Sunday July 17, 2016. This prize package is valued at $450, courtesy of Great Destinations. Participants must be 18 years or older to be eligible for the prize giveaway.
Questions should be directed to Muncie Visitors Bureau 765-284-2700.
Information on The Cool Cat Scavenger Hunt.
Clues for locating Garfield are given on Facebook (visitmuncie). Rules for Cool Cat Scavenger Hunt
There will be two locations where Garfield is hidden each day from Monday, May 2 thru Friday, May 6, 2016
Clues for both locations will be given each day at 10am on the Facebook page facebook.com/visitmuncie
The first person to locate the hidden Garfield must take a selfie with Garfield at the location it was found and post it on Facebook with the hashtag, #visitmuncie
The first person to find the plush Garfield may keep it.
The finder will then be contacted via Facebook with instruction on how to collect the rest of the prize package.
Once the Garfield is located a sign will replace him. If someone in search of Garfield finds the sign they may take a sad face selfie with the sign at the location it was found and post it on Facebook with the hashtag #visitmuncie and they will be entered into a drawing for Muncie prizes. Please return the sign after taking the selfie.
Questions should be directed to Muncie Visitors Bureau 765-284-2700.
To get on board go to visitmuncie.org
