America's First Tourists

January 19, 2012
11:49 AM EDT

What's the best place in the world to go on vacation?

Why the United States, of course. President Obama today unveiled an ambitious plan to make this country the #1 tourist destination in the world. The President was speaking at Walt Disney World in Florida, which is one of the most popular attractions in America, but he wanted to make sure people think about all the other great places worth visiting -- especially the national treasure of our National Parks System. And he speaks from experience, because over the past few years the First Family have been privileged to visit many of this country's most beautiful destinations:

Acacia State Park, Maine

President Barack Obama and his family hike at Acadia National Park

President Barack Obama and his family hike on Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park in Maine, July 16, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Grand Canyon, Arizona

President Barack Obama at the Grand Canyon

President Barack Obama looks at the Grand Canyon in Arizona on Aug. 16, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC

President Barack Obama at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.,

President Barack Obama greets tourists at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 9, 2011. The President made an unannounced stop to thank people for visiting the memorial a day after he and Congressional leaders agreed on a bill to keep the government open. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Aquinnah, Massachusetts

President Barack Obama and family tour the Gay Head lighthouse in Aquinnah, Mass., while on vacation on Martha's Vineyard, Aug. 27, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

East Gallatin River, Montana

President Barack Obama and Dan Vermillion fish for trout on Montana's East Gallatin River

President Barack Obama and local fishing guide Dan Vermillion fish for trout on the East Gallatin River near Belgrade, Mont., on Aug.14, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Martin Luther King Memorial, Washington, DC

The Obama family at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial

The Obama family made an unannounced visit to tour the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., the night before the President made remarks at the official dedication of the memorial. (by Pete Souza)

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

The First Family Visits Yellowstone National Park

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha wait for Old Faithful to erupt during their visit to Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 15, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have a chance encounter with other hikers while walking along a trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway outside of Asheville, N.C., April 23, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Panama City, Florida

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama play mini golf with daughter Sasha in Panama City Beach, Fla

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama react to daughter Sasha's hole in one while playing miniature golf at Pirate's Island Golf in Panama City Beach, Fla., Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Do you think your community is a great place to visit? Tell us about it on Twitter using the hashtag #VisitUS.

Related Topics: Economy, Arizona, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, Wyoming

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