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Posted May 6, 2025
Posted by Conservation and Public Relations
Pottawattamie County is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4–10, 2025) with exciting news: Hitchcock Nature Center has won the OMA Tourism Award for Pottawattamie County’s Best Attraction.
The award, which recognizes excellence in tourism-related experiences throughout Douglas and Pottawattamie counties, was presented during the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 6. The OMA Tourism Awards are driven by community nominations and votes, spotlighting the places that help make our region a destination worth visiting—and revisiting.
“Pottawattamie County is proud to be home to incredible outdoor spaces that connect people to nature and to one another,” said Pottawattamie Conservation Executive Director Jeff Franco. “This award is a testament to the hard work of our parks staff and to the unique experiences our county offers visitors every year.”
The announcement comes during National Travel and Tourism Week, a time to recognize the critical role travel plays in powering the economy and enhancing community vitality. In a proclamation signed May 6, Chair Belt emphasized the importance of the travel industry to Pottawattamie County’s growth, noting that the county ranked sixth in Iowa for visitor spending in 2023 with $336.24 million in direct economic impact, according to data from Tourism Economics.
“Travel means business,” the proclamation reads. “It supports small businesses, creates jobs, and strengthens the fabric of our communities.”
The county extends its gratitude to everyone who voted in the OMA Tourism Awards and encourages residents and visitors alike to explore all that Pottawattamie County has to offer—from its award-winning parks to its locally owned shops, attractions, and restaurants.
For more information about the OMA Tourism Awards, visit https://www.visitomaha.com/oma-tourism-awards/
For more information about Hitchcock Nature Center, visit https://www.pottconservation.com/parks/hitchcock_nature_center/
For more information about all of the parks and attractions in Pottawattamie County, visit https://www.pottconservation.com/parks/
