San Antonio Celebrates National Tourism Week

Long a favorite destination for leisure and convention visitors, San Antonio boasts a healthy tourism & hospitality industry that welcomes approximately 25 million visitors each year. These visitors, and the industry support, produce a number of economic benefits for the city. Visitor spending impacts virtually every corner of the local economy: sports, food service, transportation, cultural events, healthcare and more … The strong industry helps promote a vibrant and diverse cultural and social atmosphere that benefits residents and visitors alike. Many of the amenities and attractions that San Antonians take for granted are available to them only because these attractions are also supported by millions of visitors.

Schedule Of Events
National Travel and Tourism Week Deal
About National Travel and Tourism Week

Schedule of Events

Friday, May 4

National Tourism Week Rally
Sponsored by the SACVB, Witte Museum
11:00 a.m., Witte Museum Amphitheater
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro kicks off National Tourism Week activities at the new Witte Museum
Amphitheater on the banks of the San Antonio River.
Contact: Robert Salluce, (210) 207‐6718

La Villita First Friday Arts Walk
Sponsored by the City of San Antonio
3:00 – 9:00 p.m., La Villita
Savor the tastes of San Antonio and enjoy live music at this monthly event. Take a stroll through La Villita and find unique artwork and gifts made by local artists and craftsmen. Booths available for artists who produce their own crafts. The event is free and open to the public.
Contact: Anna Glover, (210) 207-7925

Friday, May 4 – Sunday, May 13

Hospitality Days at SeaWorld San Antonio
Sponsored by SeaWorld San Antonio
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Location TBD
We will offer 2 comp tickets and 2 at 50% off from May 5–13, 2012 during standard operating
business hours. Hospitality employees must show work ID and/or current payroll stub in order to receive benefit.
Contact: Dwight Driskill, (210) 523-3668

Saturday, May 5

Go! Historic SA: Guided Running & Walking Tour
Sponsored by the City of San Antonio
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Location TBD
At various stops along the routes, tour guides will share the stories behind some of San Antonio’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, and parks. Runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome. Participants will be divided into small groups according to experience. Register online at www.active.com, keyword “guided tour.” The event is free and open to the public.
Contact: Anna Glover, (210) 207-7925

Luminaria
Sponsored by the City of San Antonio, Presented by Rackspace
7:00 p.m.. – 1:00 a.m. HemisFair
Luminaria spotlights San Antonio's cultural assets for local citizens and visitors alike and is made possible
through the generosity of artists, arts organizations, volunteers, and public and private donations.
The event is free and open to the public.
Contact: Felix Padron, (210) 207‐6967

Sunday, May 6

Hospitality Day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Sponsored by Six Flags Fiesta Texas
10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Two complimentary tickets and four coupons for 1/2 off regular adult one‐day admission tickets.
Tickets are valid Sunday, May 6, 2012 only. Registration tables will be set up at the front gate. You must pick up your tickets at Six Flags Fiesta Texas between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. There will be NO TICKETS available at the front gate after 3:00 p.m. Park opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. Parking is $15.00 and will be collected at the Toll Plaza. Employees must show CURRENT proof of employment (current pay stub or current employee ID) and a photo ID. No blank hotel/corporate checks will be accepted as proof of employment.
Contact: Ashley Mitchell, (210) 697‐5457. Media contact: Sydne Purvis – (210) 697‐5407

Paseo por el Westside
Sponsored by the Office of Historic Preservation
8:00 a.m., Starts at the City Marina, 202 E. Nueva
At various stops along the routes, tour guides will share the stories behind some of San Antonio’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, and parks. Runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome. Participants will be divided into small groups according to experience. Register online at www.active.com, keyword “guided tour.”
Contact: Anna Glover, (210) 207-7925

Tuesday, May 8

Salute to San Antonio Firefighters and Paramedics
Sponsored by Louis Tussaud’s Wax Works & Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 301 Alamo Plaza
Louis Tussaud’s Wax Works & Ripley’s Believe It or Not! host the 11th annual “Salute San Antonio Firefighters and Paramedics” as part of National Tourism Week celebrations. Local SAFD firefighters and paramedics are invited to pick up lunch for their crews as a ‘thank you’ for keeping visitors and locals safe.
Contact: Janie Droemer, (210) 224‐9299

Hospitality Night at Main Event Entertainment
Sponsored by Main Event Entertainment
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Main Event Entertainment, 1911 N. Loop 1604 E., 78232 (Legacy Shopping Center)
Celebrate the grand opening of Main Event Entertainment with a night of celebration including bowling, billiards, laser tag, gravity ropes, over 100 video games, fantastic sound systems, giant TV screens, full service bars and La Bella’s Café. Hospitality, travel and tourism industry members are invited.
Free event, must RSVP via email to: Nancy Resendez Battram, sasalesmgr@maineventusa.net, (210) 336‐3937

Wednesday, May 9

Taxi Driver Appreciation Day
Sponsored by Ruth’s Chris Steak House
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Jones Maltsberger/281 & Sunset Station locations
Ruth’s Chris Steak House expands its annual salute to taxi drivers to its two San Antonio locations.
Traditionally held at the Sunset Station location, taxi drivers can also drive by the Jones Maltsberger location to pick up a steak sandwich and fixings.
Contact: Kathy Glascock, (210) 227‐8847

Texas Pride Barbecue Thank You Party
Sponsored by Texas Pride Barbecue
6:00 – 9:30 p.m. 2928 E. Loop 1604, five miles south of I‐10 East
Texas Pride Barbecue hosts its 3rd annual barbecue dinner as a ‘thank you’ to tourism and hospitality employees for helping them become the most unique barbecue joint in the world. Barbecue dinner and drinks for industry employees and a guest, live music and dancing, goodie bags and prize drawings. Free to tourism and hospitality professionals, must RSVP by May 4 to John Goodspeed, john@johngoodspeed.com. Include your name, company, and guest in the email.

Thursday, May 10

Salute to Law Enforcement
Sponsored by Rivercenter Mall
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Rivercenter Mall, corner of Blum & Alamo
Rivercenter Mall hosts its annual “Salute to Law Enforcement” lunch as a token of appreciation for SAPD and the work they do to keep San Antonio safe.
Contact: Priscilla Gonzaba or Anna Rios, (210) 225‐0689

Salute to Hospitality Students
Sponsored by San Antonio Area Tourism Council, SACVB, St. Philip's College, The RK Group, Historic Sunset Station
5:00 ‐ 7:30 p.m. Sunset Station
Student showcase and hospitality industry mixer. Area high school hospitality and culinary arts students celebrate National Tourism Week by preparing a variety of dishes. Tourism Council and industry members are invited. Free event, must RSVP to: Linda Winchester, linda@sanantoniotourism.com, (210) 886‐9991

Friday, May 11

Salute to Centro Amigos
Sponsored by The Palm Restaurant and Centro Downtown
11:30 a.m. ‐ 1:00 p.m. The Palm Restaurant
The Palm Restaurant hosts Centro Amigos for lunch in appreciation for their work making downtown a tourist‐friendly destination. Invite only.
Contact: Jon Edwards or Kim Fox, (210) 226‐7256

The Amazing Preservation Race
Sponsored by The Office of Historic Preservation
5:30 p.m. HemisFair
This event has it all: an architectural scavenger hunt, trivia questions, urban challenges and an after party!
Teams of four adventurous adults have two hours to solve riddles throughout various locations downtown.

Saturday, May 12

“Remember the Community” Volunteer Day
Sponsored by SACVB, San Antonio Tourism Council
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Locations TBD
The hospitality industry comes out in full force to give back to the community with volunteer projects.
Save the date, more details to come!
Contact: Linda Winchester, (210) 886‐9991

National Travel and Tourism Week Deal

Offers valid May 5–13, 2012 unless otherwise noted

Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe will offer 20% off food, beverage (non-alcoholic) and retail for the week of May 5–13
Contact: Andrea Martinez (210) 800-8246 SanAntonio_SalesCoordinator@hardrock.com

SeaWorld
SeaWorld will offer 2 comps and 2 @ 50% off any day we are open May 5–13. Hospitality employees must show proof of employment with company photo ID or recent payroll stub. Must work in Bexar County. Does not include restaurant employees.
Contact: Dwight Driskill (210) 523-3668 Dwight.Driskill@SeaWorld.com

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Sunday, May 6 only!
Six Flags Fiesta Texas will offer two complimentary tickets and four coupons for ½ off regular adult one‐day admission tickets. Tickets are valid Sunday, May 6, 2012 only. Registration tables will be set up at the front gate. You must pick up your tickets at Six Flags Fiesta Texas between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. There will be NO TICKETS available at the front gate after 3:00 p.m. Park opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. Parking is $15.00 and will be collected at the Toll Plaza. Employees must show CURRENT proof of employment (current pay stub or current employee ID) and a photo ID. No blank hotel/corporate checks will be accepted as proof of employment. No restaurants. Must work in Bexar County.
Does not include restaurant employees.
Contact: Andrea Martinez (210) 800-8246 SanAntonio_SalesCoordinator@hardrock.com

Buckhorn Saloon & Museum
Receive complimentary admission to The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and Texas Ranger Museum with proof of hospitality employment. Please show ticket booth attendant proof of hospitality employment with check stub, business card or valid I.D. to receive complimentary admission during the week of May 5–13.
Contact: Karen Bippert (210) 247-4000 karen.bippert@buckhornmuseum.com

ComedySportz
ComedySportz will offer $2 off the cost of a regular priced admission to any show. Shows are Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Acting Up Creative Drama Academy. Our website is cszsa.com.
Contact: Craig Klugman (210) 338-0279 cklugman@cszsa.com

San Antonio Symphony
May 4 and May 5, 2012 - 8 p.m., Majestic Theatre. San Antonio Symphony performs Mozart in Old Style. Barry Douglas, conductor and piano; Rossini Overture to La Cenerentola (Cinderella); Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466; Górecki Three Pieces in Old Style; Haydn Symphony No. 104 in D major, “London” Special 50% discount offer to this concert with tickets starting at $6.75 (normally $11.75)!! TO RECEIVE THIS SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR AREA ATTRACTIONS CONTACT KAREN CRAMER AT (210)554-1066 OR CRAMERK@SASYMPHONY.ORG . There are 6 total price levels for adults (children and students are $8.00 anywhere except for the price level 6 at $6.75) Adult tickets are available (50% discount already reflected in this price) for $6.75, $11.75, $16.75, $21.75, $27.75, $33.25.
Contact: Karen Cramer (210) 554 1066 cramerk@sasymphony.org

San Antonio Zoo
The San Antonio Zoo will offer each hospitality employee 2 tickets for admission during National Tourism Week only. Employees must show employee ID or pay stub at the zoo’s front entrance.
Contact: Elizabeth Castillo (210) 734-7184 x1044ecastillo@sazoo-aq.org

Splashtown
Splashtown will offer a ‘Buy One General Admission, Get One Free!’ deal. Just mention San Antonio Tourism at the Splashtown Ticket Booth, then purchase a full price general admission ticket, and receive a second ticket of equal or lesser value free. Offer valid before 4 p.m. and not valid with any other discounts. Limit 6 tickets purchased per guest.
Contact: Keith Kinney (210) 227-1400 keith@splashtownsa.com

About National Travel and Tourism Week

The Annual Salute to Travel and Tourism in America
The first full week of May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984. Localized events are presented in cities, states and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel. Since its establishment, the U.S. travel community has collectively marked the event in a number of creative ways, from staging local rallies and conducting media outreach to securing proclamations and resolutions from local legislative bodies.

http://www.ustravel.org/marketing/national-travel-and-tourism-week