GREATER PALM SPRINGS, CA — Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) is proud to join destinations across the country in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), May 5–11, 2025. Now in its 42nd year, NTTW is a nationwide recognition of the impact travel has in powering economies, strengthening communities, and creating meaningful connections.

In Greater Palm Springs, tourism remains the region’s number one industry, generating more than $9 billion in economic impact in 2023 and supporting over 59,000 local jobs across all nine cities. It fuels small businesses, supports cultural and outdoor experiences, and contributes to quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

“Tourism doesn’t just power our economy—it helps improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. “From our hotels and restaurants to our shops, spas, attractions, and events, travel drives opportunity and prosperity across our destination. National Travel and Tourism Week is a time to celebrate the people behind our hospitality industry and inspire continued collaboration as we look toward the future.”

To mark the occasion, Visit Greater Palm Springs is leading a weeklong series of activations designed to celebrate the local tourism industry while fostering connection, education, and continued growth. Through both digital and in-person opportunities, Visit Greater Palm Springs is bringing together professionals from across the region to engage in meaningful conversations and share tools for long-term success.

National Travel and Tourism Week Events in Greater Palm Springs

Throughout the week of May 5–11, Visit Greater Palm Springs will spotlight the region’s tourism industry while offering opportunities for learning, connection, and professional growth.

Each weekday, partners will receive an email highlighting a different theme—ranging from training and marketing tools to inclusive tourism and community impact. These resources are designed to help local businesses and professionals grow and thrive in the tourism economy. Highlights include:

  • TEAM GPS Training Drive – Featuring how hospitality workers and frontline staff can become part of a network of more than 1,000 local destination ambassadors.
  • Partner Program Spotlights – Highlighting initiatives that champion sustainability, accessibility, and inclusion, including Kind Traveler, Wheel the World, and Autism Certification.
  • Marketing Tools – Providing insights into how local businesses can amplify their reach through collaborative destination marketing.
  • Giving Back – Showcasing the impact of the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation and how the tourism community is investing in future hospitality leaders with more than $58,000 contributed in 2024 to support scholarships, training, and workforce development programs.

In addition to the email series, VGPS will host two in-person events:

  • Wednesday, May 7 (2–5 p.m.) – A hotel sales-focused tradeshow at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas, featuring airport updates, a DMC-led networking session, and a panel on sustainability in meetings and events.
  • Thursday, May 8 (Noon–3 p.m.) – The Visit Greater Palm Springs Open House, welcoming partners to connect with the VGPS team, enjoy refreshments, and explore how to maximize promotional opportunities.

Whether you’re in hospitality, tourism, local business, or part of a city team, NTTW offers a chance to come together, share knowledge, and celebrate the people and partnerships that make Greater Palm Springs a world-class destination.

For more information or to register for events: https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/national-travel-and-tourism-week/

###

About Visit Greater Palm Springs 
Visit Greater Palm Springs is the official tourism marketing agency for the nine-city Southern California oasis of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella. Founded in 1989 with a mission to positively affect the destination’s $9.0 billion tourism economy and quality of life for its citizens, the organization serves more than 3,000 business partners, providing sales, marketing and PR targeted to potential leisure travelers and event, meeting, and convention group markets.