Celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week in Winston-Salem

Visit Winston-Salem is looking back on its advertising campaign, tourism stats, and major milestones to celebrate the week.

Two people lean on the railing of a bridge on a sunny day. In the background, several Winston-Salem buildings are visible.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we’ve got the 411 on Long Branch Trail.

Photo via Visit Winston-Salem

This week, it’s all about supporting local. Sunday, May 4-Saturday, May 10 marks both National Small Business Week and National Travel & Tourism Week.

Throughout the week we’ll be shouting out small businesses across Winston-Salem, and today we’re diving into stats from our local tourism board, Visit Winston-Salem.

By the numbers

11% | The rise in our city’s hotel revenue since July 2024
2 million | The number of sessions Visit Winston-Salem’s website is on track to reach this year (up from 200,000 in 2023)
1 million | The number of clicks that paid media campaigns for Visit Winston-Salem have generated so far this year
$1.05 billion | How much visitors spent in Forsyth County in 2023, according to the latest data from Tourism Economics
6,753 | The number of local jobs that this $1.05 billion in visitor spending generated

Play tourist

In honor of the week, why not act like a tourist in your own city? We’ve got suggestions for how to do it right:

  • Plan a local staycation at one of these unique places to stay.
  • Try a new-to-you local coffee shop.
  • Explore one of our nearby museums — bonus points if you reacquaint yourself with local history at Old Salem Museum.
  • Take a tour of Winston-Salem that matches your interests, from a downtown tastings tour to a historic trolley tour.
  • Check out some of the biggest events happening this month.
  • Really need a getaway? Pretend you’re on a Parisian vacation without leaving city limits with our guide.
More from WStoday
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie built a handful of libraries around the US, here’s the story of the Twin City’s first library.
What registered voters need to know before going to the polls.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Sponsored
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s annual benefit concert returns in May with an all-new lineup.
If you recently retired and are looking for things to do, this guide will help you make the most of your newfound time in Winston-Salem.
Editor Kellina stepped into the principal’s shoes and took a walk through the school halls.
Our readers found the most romantic places.
We explain the voting process and how your ballot impacts who gets to take a seat in government.
Here are eight activities in the Twin City to keep kids learning and engaged.