With the summer travel season coming fast, this is "National Tourism Week" all over the country and North Central Florida is a part of it.
To attract more visitors, state and county officials have decided to offer free admission at area attractions.
Golfers enjoyed a free small bucket of practice balls at Ironwood Golf Course on Tuesday.
The city-owned Ironwood is an 18 hole, par 72 championship course located in Northeast Gainesville.
The 26th annual tourism event is sponsored by the Travel Industry Association. The goal of National Tourism Week is to highlight the economic, social and cultural impacts of travel through events and celebrations.
Marcheta Keefer, a tourism marketing manager, explained, "Alachua County is faring fairly well in this economic downturn compared to other vacation and tourism destinations. We're not immune to it, but we have a more diversified economic base here."
Events will be free or at a reduced rate all week.
Karen Kirkman, the President of Historic Homestead, Inc., said, "Tourism brings revenue to the area, but we think it's really important that just everybody in the nation discover what treasures there are out there. and it gives people the opportunity to learn from history."
There will be a tour or event everyday this week at different locations.
For more information on when the tours are taking place, go to www.visit.gainesville.com.