Along with being Small Business Week, last week was also National Travel and Tourism Week!
As restrictions ease and travel becomes safer to do, it’s exciting for both communities and tourists alike to begin (slowly and cautiously) making travel plans.
Here at PPR Strategies, we’re all excited to safely do some traveling over the summer to places both near and far.
I (Sandy) have been doing a lot of hiking (and even stayed in a yurt!) and am halfway through the Virgina Trail Quest Program. All of the parks I’ve explored have been so different and unique, but two of my favorites so far have been Natural Tunnel State Park and Grayson Highlands State Park. This summer, my goal is to finish visiting all of the Virginia State Parks… and receive all 5 of the Trail Quest pins. 🙂
Ellen, our Communications Specialist, is planning a trip to Nevada, Utah and Arizona in early fall. She looks forward to experiencing the Southwest U.S. for the first time. She plans to explore Las Vegas for a day, then trek through Zion National Park where she hopes to hike Angel’s Landing. From there, she’ll roadtrip to Grand Canyon National Park where she wants to take in the breathtaking views from both North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon.
Chloe, our Digital Storyteller and one of our Communications Specialists, plans to take several day trips to the brightest places in the D.C, Virginia, and Maryland areas. She plans to visit Virginia Beach to spend time with her family. Then, she’ll have a day trip to Washington D.C with her sister to explore museums, eat at local restaurants, and walk the Capital. Later, she plans to have her family from Michigan down to explore the beauty of downtown Frederick. They will walk the creek, grab a bite to eat, and shop until they drop! Chloe plans to vlog all her experiences, food reactions, and travel action.
Sophie, our Director of Operations, is going to Mesa, AZ and San Diego, CA next week! Sophie will be visiting family and friends now that things are opening up, and looks forward to seeing family safely now that she is vaccinated. Her plans include eating loads of yummy southwestern food, visiting downtown Mesa and Scottsdale, visiting the Mesa Arts center, seeing the seals at La Jolla ecological preserve in San Diego, and strolling through the Japanese garden at Balboa Park.
How about you? Are you making any travel plans for this summer? If you’re not quite comfortable traveling out of city or state yet, there’s always more you can experience close to home in a “staycation,” such as:
- Support your favorite local restaurants. Enjoy dining out as the weather warms up or picking up curbside for a picnic outdoors.
- Explore the lakes, mountains, or beaches close to your state.
- Find one-of-a-kind experiences in your community. One of my favorites is blueberry picking at Orr’s Farm Market. You can reserve a pick-your-own-berries appointment here.
- Support the travel and tourism industry by booking a weekend or week-long stay in a hotel or boutique.
I know we’re all looking forward to safely venturing out and enjoying some great experiences beyond Netflix after a very long year. 🙂 And remember, your patronage at businesses, whether near or far, makes a difference. Leave a comment below to share some of how you plan on enjoying this summer!
‘Til next time,
Sandy
