MILWAUKEE, May 3, 2002 - The Mark Travel Corporation in Milwaukee will be honored by being presented the key to the city of Las Vegas, and having Thursday, May 9, declared "The Mark Travel Corporation Day" in Las Vegas. National Tourism Week is celebrated nationwide May 5-11.

National Tourism Week was implemented in order to salute tourism, the engine that drives the economies of many cities. As Las Vegas celebrates the week, it will have several special events culminating with an annual luncheon held Friday, May 10, where the keynote speaker is Bill La Macchia, Jr. of The Mark Travel Corporation. The presentation will be delivered live on the Internet at www.vegasfreedom.com or at www.istreamplanet.com. It will also be broadcast live over Cable Radio Network and tape-delayed for television on Urban American Network (check local listings for times).

"This recognition is something we are very proud of," said La Macchia, Jr. "We have an amazing partnership with the city of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the hotels of Las Vegas have been extremely supportive, along with our talented employees we have been able to be very innovative in offering a diversified, quality product backed by superior customer service."

The presenting of the key to the city by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will take place in a ceremony held Thursday, May 9, at 10 a.m. (PST) in the Mayor's office.

The Mark Travel Corporation, celebrating 28 years, began selling group-inclusive tours to Las Vegas combined with United Airlines in the early 1970s. With the tremendous support of professional travel agents and investment in technology, today, with its 14 vacation companies, it brings more than a million travelers annually to Las Vegas in order to make vacations dreams a reality.