BERLIN, VT. – Great Vermont Traditions, a new program of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, showcases business and community heritages that have and continue to make our state a great place to be and to visit. The Vermont Hospitality Council is pleased to announce that Great Vermont Traditions also inspired the Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) theme for the 25th Annual National Tourism Week, May 10-18, 2008, "Discover Great American Traditions."

The concept of celebrating great American traditions suggested by the Vermont Hospitality Council to the Travel Industry Association influenced this year’s theme—Discover Great American Traditions—now in use nationwide to promote National Tourism Week.

When choosing seasonal and year-round great Vermont traditions to showcase in the program’s first year, staff of the Vermont Hospitality Council (VHC) learned this year is the 100th birthday of one of America’s most widely known songs, Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The song is the unofficial theme for one of our country’s great pastimes, played by all ages and in every or nearly every community. Showcasing Vermont’s great history of community baseball seemed a perfect fit for late spring and summer.

“For 25 years the Travel Industry Association has partnered with states and local communities to promote National Tourism Week. The annual salute recognizes the cultural, social and diplomatic benefits created by travel and tourism across our great country,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of TIA. “Vermont is an attractive destination with so much to offer travelers and the Travel Industry Association is delighted that Tourism Week’s silver anniversary theme came from the Green Mountain State.”

Vermont annually hosts a Governor’s reception in the Cedar Creek Room of its State House. This year’s event will be May 15, noon to 1:30.

The great Vermont and American tradition of community baseball will be the featured late spring and summer tradition on the Visiting and Great Vermont Traditions pages of www.visitvt.com.