BRYAN, Texas — Summer 2020 is not like the ones we’ve had in the past. Many people have been forced to cancel trips and put their vacations on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, those vacations can still be enjoyed right in our backyard.
Experience Bryan/College Station and other local groups are putting together #athomeinBCSweek from Jul. 24 through Aug. 2. It is an effort to give the community a chance to explore the area around them while supporting the local economy.
“Tourism is very important to Bryan/College Station and we don’t want to see that go away," said Morgan Key, the conventions sales manager for Experience Bryan/College Station. "This was a recovery effort we designed.”
Experience Bryan/College Station started its Staycation program after working with hotels who experienced many cancellations during the pandemic. The program was a way for the tourism business to help bring revenue to local hotels and get people to visit other local businesses.
“Even myself, I’m constantly learning something new whether it be scrolling on social media and I am seeing people on Facebook now saying they are interested in an event,” Key said.
Items for #athomeinBCSweek include trips to Aggieland Safari, local splash pads, going to a Brazos Valley Bombers game and visits to the Historic Downtown Bryan.
“Our small businesses, just like everyone else COVID-19 has affected, has really them in Downtown Bryan and the whole B/CS community," said Abigail Noel, the marketing coordinator for the Downtown Bryan Association. "We’re wanting to bring them foot traffic or online traffic in any way, shape, or form.”
Besides just encouraging people to come to local shops and restaurants, the Downtown Bryan Association is putting on several events to keep the public busy.
“All these ideas just give people something to do. Its all socially distance and safe," Noel said. " Maybe they’ll discover something new they’ve never experienced before in the whole Bryan/College Station community.”
The Staycation program does not just end after next week, Experience Bryan/College Station is asking everyone to keep supporting local.
"Without these local businesses, without these local hotels, we’re not going to be able to bring in conventions to our community," Key said. "That revenue helps increase the quality of life for the residents of Bryan/College Station.”
For more information on #athomeinBCSweek events happening Jul. 24 through Aug. 2, click HERE.