The Mercer Museum, the James A Michener Art Museum, and Town and Country Players are just three Doylestown area destinations that have benefitted from grants from the county's tourism promotion agency.

Visit Bucks County celebrated National Tourism Day on May 8 by giving away awards and money. Tourism officials and business partners met at the Bucks County Visitor Center in Bensalem. The event was one of 75 similar ones nationwide celebrating the industry for Tourism Day.

Visit Bucks Executive Director Jerry Lepping noted that “tourism in Bucks County supports 11,000 jobs and generates $814 million in the local economy.”

In honor of National Tourism Day, Lepping spoke of the group’s participation in a national tourism effort and its specific marketing campaign in New York and North Jersey promoting tourism in Bucks County.

The group announced the winners of its first annual National Travel & Tourism Week Awards. Winners included:

• Hospitality Leadership Award: Olga Rose Lopez, of 1870 Wedgwood Collection of Historic Inns
• Guest Service Excellence Award: Michael Joyce, of Sesame Place
• Rising Star Award: Christy Gallagher, of the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
• Community Service Award: Skip’s Candies
• Dedicated Partner Award: Tabitha Dardes, of Pennsbury Manor

Lepping also announced $140,000 in awards through the 2012 Tourism Grant Program. The program began in 2008, with the support of the Bucks County Commissioners, to assist in the development and enhancement of non-profit tourism products and marketing.

This year's grants put the four-year total at more than $1.2 million, he noted.

Over the years, the grant program has contributed to re-designing websites, producing promotional videos, making capital improvements and much more, Lepping said.

Below is a list of the spring 2012 grant recipients:

In a recent opinion piece, Lepping discussed the importance of tourism to the county.

“So, as you set out on your day today in beautiful Bucks County, whether you work or visit one of our outstanding restaurants, wineries, hotels, B&Bs or attractions, or are meeting with corporate leaders for a business meeting, remember each and every one of us has moments in our day to make amazing first and last impressions,” he noted.

“Please take this week to experience and appreciate your own backyard, and do something great to provide a visitor, customer, co-worker or even a neighbor, with a special experience.  And remember that we are all in the travel industry together.”