Nebraska Tourism Kicks off 2015 Passport Program

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Director Kathy McKillip at 402-471-1558 or [email protected]

Or Angela White at 402-471-7755 or [email protected]

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nebraska Tourism Kicks off 2015 Passport Program with Video Endorsement from Governor Pete Ricketts

LINCOLN, Neb. (May 1, 2015) —The Nebraska Tourism Commission kicked off its 2015 Nebraska Passport Program today with the release of a video endorsement from Governor Pete Ricketts. In the video Governor Ricketts sited the importance of Tourism for Nebraska’s economy saying, “Many people don’t realize that Tourism is Nebraska’s 3rd largest industry and that it provides over 44,000 jobs in the state.”

 

The 2015 Passport will feature 80 attractions on 10 themed tours, including: Play Nice, I Heart Art, One of a Kind, Yummy Tummy Tour, Chill & Chat, Sauce & Cycles, Crazy Confections, Happy Heart Tour, Only In Nebraska and Nebraska Legends.

 

The Passport program encourages travelers to explore Nebraska, collect stamps from participating attractions and earn great prizes. Travelers have from May 1 through September 30 to visit attractions and redeem their stamps for prizes. For each completed tour, participants win a Nebraska Passport T-shirt. Travelers also can receive 20 $1 Nebraska Lottery Scratch coupons (for 20 stamps) and a travel duffle bag (for 40 stamps) and a local first gift basket (for all 80 stamps).

 

A grand-prize drawing for an Omaha Steak Culinary Package will be held in October. This year, an additional drawing for 300 $1 Nebraska Lottery Scratch tickets will be held for all participants, 19 and older, who turn in passports with at least one stamp.

 

Passports will be available at participating stops beginning May 1. More information about the program can be found at nebraskapassport.com. For the second year in a row, participants can download and participate in the program via mobile application that is free and downloadable from the Apple App Store and Google App Store. Simply search for Nebraska Passport.

 

Nebraska Tourism is also partnering with some of Nebraska’s top businesses to promote the 2015 Nebraska Passport Program to thousands of employees statewide. Participating partners include Ameritas, Crete Carrier, Chief Industries, First National Bank, Omaha Steaks, Pinnacle Bank, Union Pacific, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Zoetis, Bailey Lauerman and Swanson Russell. All eleven organizations will be promoting the passport program to their employees in their internal communications in some form or another. Some of the organizations will be offering extra incentives and contests to make the experience even more fun and to encourage a healthy work-life balance.  

 

Nebraska Tourism Commission Director Kathy McKillip commented, “We really enjoy building stronger relationships and partnerships with Nebraska companies. Having them involved with tourism and our Passport Program reinforces their pride in the state of Nebraska.”

 

For more information about travel, events and unique destinations in Nebraska, order your free travel guide today at www.VisitNebraska.com. Then stay connected with Nebraska Tourism on our Visit Nebraska Facebook page, on Twitter, on Pinterest and on YouTube.

 

The mission of the Nebraska Tourism Commission is to expand Nebraska’s dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to www.VisitNebraska.com.

 

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