The Dubois County Visitors Center is celebrating National Tourism Week with a Spring Tourism Open House and Chamber Time Out From Business on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on the new Spirit of Jasper train cars, located at the Jasper Train Depot near 3rd & Jackson Streets.

Tourism office staff and board members will be on hand to greet guests, provide tours of the two recently renovated train cars, give a brief update and overview of the local tourism industry and inform local individuals how the tourism office can assist them. The event is free and open to the public. All tourism-related businesses and organizations, including event/festival committees, sports tournament organizers, hotel, restaurant, shop and attraction owners and employees are encouraged to attend. Likewise, any business or organization that brings in visitors from out of town or anticipates hosting conferences in Dubois County or anyone hosting a reunion or wedding should also make plans to attend.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about our local tourism industry to join us for an informative, yet relaxing, evening aboard the Spirit of Jasper train cars”, said Kristen Ruhe, executive director of the Visitors Center & Tourism Commission. “We have a variety of services to assist local individuals, including providing welcome packets, scheduling group itineraries, offering promotional items and more.”

Said Ruhe, “We have wonderful partnerships with many individuals and groups in our community, and this event provides yet another opportunity to strengthen our local tourism industry through awareness of the services we have to offer.”