Travel and Tourism Week

1:00:58RS five. I see Adam Thomas out there.

1:01:02Oh we did a

1:01:10Resolution five or resolution number twenty-three one fourteen, resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring the week of May 7th to the 13th, 2023 as Travel and Tourism Week in Pasco County. Whereas established in 1983 by a congressional resolution, National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual tradition. During May, where the U.S. travel community celebrates the value the travel holds for our economy,

1:01:41businesses, and personal well-being. And whereas tourism is Florida's top economic driver. Awareness of the tourism industry's integral role in Florida's economy success will encourage promotion of tourism activities and continue to increase the number of visitors. To the state and to Pasco County. And whereas Experienced Florida's Sports Coast, Pasco County's destination management organization, works hard year-round with industry partners to

1:02:11promote great reasons for visitors to come to Pasco County for sports, leisure, and business activities. And whereas in physical year 2020, Visitors to Pasco County had an economic impact of over $900 million, including over $363 million in direct spending by just under 1.5 million visitors. Visitor spending in 2022 saved each Pasco household

1:02:41$384 in state and local taxes. And whereas in fiscal year 2022, tourism industry supported $11,403 jobs in Pasco County, generating $288,220,700 in wages and salary. Yeah. And whereas on May 12, 2023, Experienced Florida's Sports Coast will celebrate Travel and Tourism Week by hosting their annual awards dinner,

1:03:12recognized by those who take a leading role in the tourism industry in Pasco County, with keynote speech by National Football League Hall of Fame inductee, Rodney Barber. Now, therefore, be it resolved by Pasco County Commissioner the County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby proclaims May 7th to the 13th, 2023, as Travel and Tourism Week, and urge all citizens to recognize the importance of

1:03:42this vital industry to our area. Done in a resolved and regular session with the Quorum President Both. voting this ninth day of May twenty twenty three.

1:03:52No motion.

1:03:54Second move. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Adam. Congratulations. Uh looking forward to Friday's tourism banquet. Uh to get Ronde Barber, I think, is phenomenal. Probably made the best interception uh in the history of the Bucks when he uh took out the Eagles just in the in the pregame for the conference championship. But to have him honored as a Hall of Famer, timing's beautiful. Um I think it's be great to be able to talk about the scalloping that uh you and I and uh we'll say representative. That have Maggart

1:04:24helped out quite a bit in getting that done. It's going to benefit citizens all over the county and bring in a whole bunch of tourists as well.

1:04:31Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you, uh Chairman Mariano, and good morning, uh fellow commissioners. Thank you so much for sponsoring this resolution. You know, travel um as we celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, I'm I'm reminded that travel connects us, that inspires us, it fuels our creativity. It opens our eyes to how others live, it celebrates food and encourages us to try new things. You know, travel sheds lights on our amazing on our amazing planet. It opens up our ears to hear different sounds of music throughout the world.

1:05:02It what inspires us and makes us happy. Travel is the power of human connection. That connection is transformative. It drives understanding, creates a shared sense of purpose, enhances our well being, and takes us to new heights. That Is the heartbeat of what we do at Florida Sports Coast. And we're honored to be here today to celebrate the national travel and tourism week, not only for Pasco County, not only for the state, but the entire U.S. market. So thank you, Commissioner Mariano.

1:05:32All right, thank you. Commissioner Weightman.

1:05:34Thank

1:05:34you.

1:05:35Adam, I appreciate y'all a couple weeks ago, month ago, lose track of time came in just kind of brainstorming with each one of our offices. I mean we have such a unique county from interior east to our coastline. Actually, still have some affordable Gulf Coast properties, you know, around. And You guys have such an amazing canvas to work with and to promote a place that I've called home a long time and very special to me. And appreciate the creativity that you guys bring

1:06:05to the Florida Sports Coast. And all I say is keep thinking big and uh excited to support what you guys do and make Pasco a fun place to to live and and visit. So good work. Thanks.

1:06:19Ms. Rokley. Yep. Adam, thank you for um all you've done in the past and and looking into the future, all you're gonna do for us in the future. So uh you've got a big task at hand and uh you can believe that we're gonna be in support of you all the way. So make sure we have the right things happening in beautiful Pasco County and especially in the sports issues and all Our citizens are looking for greater things. So thank you for all you do and your team. Commissioner

1:06:49Starkey.

1:06:50So um Adam and I just returned from a trip. Adam a day earlier, um, but I wanna thank you for having the faith to go. And uh take time away from your family and to get on a bike because you said what'd you say you had been on a bike s for how long?

1:07:05I haven't owned a bike since I was twelve years old.

1:07:07Yeah,

1:07:07yeah. So

1:07:08uh

1:07:08I was too busy playing baseball.

1:07:10We got Adam on a bike. I suggested a electric, you know, pedal assist for the hills that we were on, but He powered he powered up those hills. Um and um I really look forward to giving you a report of our trip to Bettonville, um where a bunch of us went uh the last few days. So it was eye opening for me and I and I hope you I understand you already talked to maybe Ms. Pearson a little bit or someone. Yes ma'am. He told me so um we'll put together a a little report and share it with you all,

1:07:40but it was fascinating.

1:07:42in in Bentonville and they're really uh they they really have a niche niche market um and they're really owning that market and it's um it's inspiring for for what they're doing on the leisure and family uh um um uh aspect of of of their of their city how it's all coming together you have uh economic development councils you have uh uh nonprofits trail builders you have the the DMO all coming together um for one common goal and one common vision, so it's inspiring to see.

1:08:10Yeah. Very interesting. Okay.

1:08:12Mike?

1:08:13Yeah, I I just want to say, you know, Adam, tourism is the lifeblood of the state. And my wife and I, we tr we travel extensively, we go to a lot of different places, but um you know the work that you guys have done here has been phenomenal. Our numbers you know continue to track up and in the right direction and it always just amazes me. You know you take your local town sometimes for granted a little bit. And the fact that people want to come here, you know, to where we live, you know, to visit on their vacation is just phenomenal. So just thank you for all the efforts that you guys have put forward on that.

1:08:42And Kathy, thank you for bringing Adam in.

1:08:47Okay. All right, we can take a picture or bring it out.

1:09:26Oh.