A Tour in Savings

How local tourism offices help you find big savings.

by Sharon Naylor


Today’s tourism offices are not just for fanny-pack-wearing tourists who want to find the wax museum; they’re for you to access for valuable coupons, group discount packages, two-for-one tickets and freebies at local restaurants, theaters, kids’ attractions, and museums – all leading to big savings for you.

Where do you find a tourism office?
Every state and city has its own tourism department. To find the tourism offices nearest you visit the Tourism Office Worldwide Directory at www.towd.com. All you have to do is plug in your city or destination and you’ll be directly linked to the local tourism office.

What do tourism offices offer?
Most cities’ tourism packages offer discounts to tourist attractions, free entrance to museums, kids-eat-free coupons at restaurants. Or, they may offer free coffee at a name-brand coffeehouse, two-for-one theater tickets, free use of public transportation with swipe cards or tokens, and big discounts from partner stores offering big discounts on cakes and baked items, catering trays, flowers, pizzas and more. Add in your military discounts and special offers now being extended to military families and the savings skyrocket.

How do you use the savings?
When you plan a birthday party, family reunion, or holiday get-together, you can easily access all of the free and discount goodies found at the tourism office…not to mention group celebration packages that can save you hundreds of dollars on your party.
You don’t have to be an out-of-town tourist to cash in on these deals. Sometimes you can be a tourist in your own backyard and save lots of money on many of your future celebrations.

Did You Know?
A city in California recently offered a key card for less than $20 that allowed card-carriers free access to theme parks, half-priced dinners at a popular restaurant and a packet containing tee shirts and visors with the city’s logo on them.