Jim Thorpe has been touted in National Geographic, the Travel Channel/USA Today and Philadelphia Magazine as among the best places to live and play, most beautiful, friendliest and best romantic getaway. Tens of thousands of travelers visit Jim Thorpe the gateway to the Pocono Mountains each year.

In commemoration of National Tourism week, members of the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency will welcome and thank tourists on May 2 at the Josiah White Park with free coffee and cake from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They'll celebrate together at the JTTA Cinco de Mayo party on Tuesday at the Broadway Pub and Grille.National Tourism Week, which communities across America celebrate each year, shines a light on what travel means to jobs, economic growth and personal well-being.Randall Sellers, JTTA president and owner of Sellers Books on Broadway, sees the impact tourists bring to his business."Tourism is the backbone of our local economy, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to Jim Thorpe each year. Dollars spent in shops, attractions and accommodations benefit not just those who cater to tourists but all local businesses and families," he said.It's also a great time for JTTA to celebrate tourists and its members.After all, they get to live, work and enjoy everything tourists do all year long in a town with European charm, outdoor adventure, train rides, art galleries, fine restaurants, live entertainment, shops, pubs and wine tasting not to mention highly rated accommodations.Just 90 minutes from Philadelphia, two hours from New York and 35 minutes from the Lehigh Valley, CBS3 in Philadelphia included Jim Thorpe among its 2012 Top One-Tank Trips for Spring.JTTA plans, presents and promotes four major festivals each year: WinterFest (February), the Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration (May), Fall Foliage (three weekends in October), and the Olde Time Christmas festival (December). These events attract thousands of visitors, who stay at hotels, B&BS, inns and campgrounds in Jim Thorpe and throughout Carbon County.JTTA also maintains a website, which helps potential guests plan their day trip or extended stay in the area. Website features include photos and a description of the town, an events calendar and clickable links to accommodations, restaurants, shops and attractions.For more information on Jim Thorpe events, attractions, accommodations, restaurants, shops and more, visit

www.jimthorpe.org.