The Liberty County Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week May 7-14 with several events.

Program coordinator Amanda Scott and creative and content coordinator Erin Johnson visited area historical sites and hotels to thank their staffs for their hospitality to visitors. Historical sites included Fort Morris, Seabrook Village, Historic Dorchester Academy, the Midway Museum, the Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Association Museum and Geechee Kunda Cultural Center. Hotels visited were La Quinta Inn and Suites, Econo Lodge, Travelodge, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Country Inn and Suites, Baymont Inn and Suites and Motel 6.

"We really appreciate all the hard work our tourism partners do to welcome visitors to Liberty County," Johnson said. "This is my first year with the LCCVB and I’ve enjoyed getting to meet the people who help bring the tourism industry to life in our community."

Each site and hotel received a souvenir cup with tea and peach candy. Bags with Liberty County promotional products and visitor information were distributed to each historical site to hand out to visitors.

The LCCVB staff also cleaned 18 historical markers in the county. The markers were put in place either by the Georgia Historical Society or the Liberty County Historical Society.

The LCCVB also hosted a familiarization tour for real estate professionals. According to LCCVB CEO Leah Poole, the tour was to give agents, especially new ones, an understanding of the county’s history, as well as outdoor and recreational opportunities so they can tell potential homebuyers.

The group visited the Hinesville Area Arts Council Gallery, where Hinesville Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Michelle Ricketson and Main Street Program coordinator Crystal Caines discussed events and downtown growth. The tour also went the Historic Dorchester Academy, Fort Morris and the Sunbury Dock.

"Taking the time to explore and learn more about the area I live in and serve is extremely important as a business owner and a resident, Coldwell Banker Holtzman Realty managing broker Leigh Smiley said. "As a business owner and Realtor how else could I sell and encourage people to relocate to our beautiful Liberty County if I didn’t know what it has to offer?"

Prior to the w, Hinesville and Flemington’s mayors, Allen Brown and Sandra Martin, and Liberty County Commission Chairman Donald Lovette signed proclamations for National Travel and Tourism Week.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development sais that in 2015, Liberty County’s tourism supported 574 jobs and generated $107.1 million in spending. An estimated $4.2 million was generated in state tax and $3.3 million in local tax revenues.

"Tourism in Liberty County is really growing by leaps and bounds and we’re proud to be a part of it," Poole said. "We’re here to support our tourism partners and make sure visitors get the best experience possible when they stay in our community."

To find out more about the LCCVB, visit www.libertycounty.org or find it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest as Explore Liberty.