Visit Beloit Celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 29, 2026
BELOIT, Wis. – National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual celebration of the essential importance of the travel industry organized by the U.S. Travel Association. The 2026 theme, “Postmarked: Essential,” emphasizes that travel is not optional, as it is important to America’s economy, workforce, and way of life. Every trip taken, every visitor welcomed, and every experience created leaves a lasting mark on communities nationwide. In Beloit and across Wisconsin, tourism plays a vital role in supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors.
Join us May 3-9, 2026, in celebrating NTTW and help highlight our industry’s undeniable impact. This NTTW, Visit Beloit has organized a lineup of activities to celebrate.
- Sunday, May 3 – Attractions
Visit Beloit will be kicking off the week with an exclusive video featuring some of the incredible attractions throughout the Greater Beloit Area. The video will be shared on Instagram and Facebook (@visitbeloit). Viewers who complete the steps outlined in the caption will be entered to win two tickets to a 2026 Beloit Sky Carp game of their choice.
- Monday, May 4 – Shopping
Beloit is home to more than seventy unique shops offering one-of-a-kind finds. A featured video will highlight local shopping all around Beloit, shared on Visit Beloit’s social media platforms. Participants who follow the entry instructions will be entered to win a $25 gift card to Elements Nursery & Gift Shop.
- Tuesday, May 5 – Restaurants
From Wisconsin Supper Clubs to international cuisine and local sweet shops, Beloit offers a diverse dining scene for locals and visitors. A social media video will highlight where to dine next, with viewers eligible to win a $25 gift card to The Rock Bar & Grill by following the posted entry steps.
- Wednesday, May 6 – Hotels
Beloit offers a variety of lodging options, from boutique stays to properties with amenities important to any traveler. A featured video on social media platforms will highlight where to stay after a day of exploring. Participants will have the chance to win a $25 gift card to use at Geronimo Hospitality Group properties.
- Thursday, May 7 – Ho-Chunk Nation Highlight
Visit Beloit will highlight Ho-Chunk Gaming – Beloit, a $705 million entertainment and hospitality project currently under construction. The casino is expected to open in fall 2026, followed by a hotel and conference center in 2027.
In recognition of the Ho-Chunk Nation’s deep historical ties to the region, Visit Beloit will debut a special project honoring the Indigenous people whose land we live and work on.
- Friday, May 8 – Hospitality Breakfast & Award Ceremony Recap
Visit Beloit will host its Hospitality Breakfast & Award Ceremony on Thursday, May 7, celebrating tourism partners and frontline hospitality professionals. The event will feature a breakfast buffet, guest speaker, Ms. Anne Katz, Executive Director of Create Wisconsin, State of the Industry Address, and a special ribbon cutting for The 1914 at Visit Beloit, the organization’s new event space.
During the ceremony, Visit Beloit will present the Outstanding Frontline Employee Award to a tourism partner who exemplifies exceptional service and hospitality. The 2026 recipient will be announced during the event.
- Saturday, May 9 – Industry Data Highlights
Tourism continues to be a major economic driver in Rock County and across Wisconsin. Visit Beloit will share these highlights from the record-breaking 2024 tourism year. Updated 2025 data will be shared as it becomes available.
- All Week – Wisconsin Cheese Samples
Throughout NTTW, the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit will offer complimentary Wisconsin cheese samples from Alp and Dell Cheese Store in Monroe, Wis.
Conveniently located on I-39 Northbound/I-90 Westbound at the Wisconsin-Illinois border, the Wisconsin Welcome Center is operated by Visit Beloit. Staff are available to assist with statewide travel information, maps, visitor guides, weather updates, and more.
In 2024, the Wisconsin tourism industry:
- Generated a record-breaking $25.8 billion in economic impact.
- Supported more than 182,000 full and part-time jobs.
- Welcomed 114.4 million visits to Wisconsin.
- Contributed $1.7 billion to state and local taxes.
Locally, Rock County tourism in 2024:
- Generated $482 million in economic impact.
- Supported 3,796 full and part-time jobs.
- Contributed $30.6 million to state and local taxes.
“Travel continues to power growth and bring people together here in Beloit,” said Celestino Ruffini, CEO of Visit Beloit. “As we celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week and this year’s theme, ‘Postmarked: Essential,’ we’re reminded that travel is fundamental to our economy, workforce, and way of life. Every visitor and every experience leave a lasting mark – supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and enriching the quality of life that makes Beloit such a vibrant and welcoming community.”
For more information about Visit Beloit’s NTTW activities, please visit https://visitbeloit.com/national-travel-tourism-week-2026/.
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About Visit Beloit
Visit Beloit, established in 1987, is greater Beloit’s official destination marketing organization (DMO). An accredited DMO through Destinations International’s Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), Visit Beloit’s mission is to be greater Beloit’s tourism champion, using our expertise to generate positive economic impact and to create a vibrant community for residents and visitors. For information, visit www.visitbeloit.com.
About Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP)
The globally recognized Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) serves as a visible industry distinction that defines quality and performance standards in destination marketing and management. With nearly 200 accredited organizations worldwide, DMAP is an internationally recognized program that is essential to the success of destinations. See the full list of accredited organizations, including Visit Beloit, at www.destinationsinternational.org.
