We pass by popular tourist sites and local hotels; we may not even think of how it supports a community. People from Northern Colorado and beyond are drawn to our large events, such as the Greeley Stampede, Greeley Blues Jam, Arts Picnic, and Monster Day. Local attractions such as our museums, breweries, and performance halls are the backbone of Greeley. These places define our community, and provide our families with jobs.
Travel matters, and it improves Greeley in ways that have a wide-reaching impact on our community. Travel supports thousands of jobs in our community, and it also has an effect that we do not always see: tourism can strengthen families, foster hometown pride, and build bridges that connect us.
Tourism and travel are powerful for cities and states, and Greeley is no exception. Our friends at Visit Greeley have estimated the 2018 economic impact of tourism was $29,962,889. It is projected that 436,964 visitors came through Greeley last year. Those figures exclude the enormous impact that the Greeley Stampede brings to Greeley in late June and early July. In the first two months of 2019, visitors have already generated about 4.8 million dollars into our economy.
Those are only a few reasons why it is so essential to keep welcoming visitors to Greeley. Many in our community are making an effort to elevate the message of “Travel Matters” during National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) May 5 through 11. The Greeley City Council is set to make an official proclamation to celebrate the week at the May 7 meeting.
We encourage you to join us in observing NTTW this year and celebrate all that travel does for Greeley, and for our country as a whole. Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Discover Your “Stay-cation” in Greeley is an event scheduled for May 8 at the Family FunPlex from 4 to 8 p.m. Come learn about some of the fun and engaging activities Greeley offers to both visitors and residents.
- Get social and engage with the #nttw19 or #nttwGreeley hashtag on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Share how travel matters in our community.
Roy H. Otto, Greeley City Manager