Malayzia Mag Issue 7: The Thanksgiving Edition | Página 8

economic impact of $937 million. On the social and cultural level, the study demonstrated that tourism contributes profoundly to the area’s quality of life by supporting its large number of restaurants, wineries, microbreweries, galleries, museums, festivals and retail shops. This includes significant support for Traverse City’s vibrant downtown retail and entertainment district, which is enjoyed by local residents but is supported in a significant way by visitors. With a population of approximately 15,000 residents, Traverse City could not support the diversity, variety and quality of these amenities without the economic contribution generated by tourism. About Traverse City Tourism (TCT) Organized in 1981 as the Traverse City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Traverse City Tourism (TCT) is a nonprofit corporation that serves as the area’s official destination marketing organization. Its focused mission is to stimulate economic growth through the attraction of convention business and leisure tourism development. Traverse City Tourism works to enhance, reinforce and develop the Traverse City brand, telling the Traverse City story to potential visitors through advertising, marketing, tradeshows, publications, sales missions, media relations and Visitor Center services. Its experienced and knowledgeable team members are motivated by pride for their community and a desire to advance its economic wellbeing without sacrificing the values that make it such a special place. ? TCT sales representatives showcase the community to meeting planners from around the country, encouraging them to bring their meetings, conventions, conferences and sporting events to Traverse City. ? TCT marketing and media specialists place advertising in a wide range of national and international publications, television and radio networks and electronic media. They invite writers, bloggers and editors to the area to experience Traverse City first-hand. These visits often result in an stories and articles that help build destination brand awareness, and have helped bring the destination many national and international accolades in recent years. ? Since 1995, TCT has operated a popular visitor’s center at the corner of Union Street and Grandview Parkway. Staffed by over 100 trained and enthusiastic community volunteers, the center is open seven days a week during the summer and fall and six days the remainder of the year. ? Visitors can call a toll-free number, 1-800-TRAVERSE, to request information and get assistance with booking hotel rooms. In addition, TCT maintains a popular web site