May 5th-13th Is National Travel And Tourism Week
Falling on the first full week of May each year, the 2012 National Travel and Tourism Week is from May 5th to May 13th this year.
First celebrated in 1984, National Travel and Tourism Week involve events at the local, state, and national level, all promoting the travel business.
It was established as National Tourism Week when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 designating the week to be celebrated in May. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with “the appropriate ceremonies and activities.” [source]
Since the beginning, the U.S. travel community has honored the week in a number of ways, from local rallies and media outreach, to securing proclamations and resolutions from local governmental bodies.
According to U.S. Travel Association…..
Travel and tourism is one of America’s largest industries
– Generated $1.9 trillion in economic output, with $813 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers that spurred an additional $1.1 trillion in other industries.
– Directly generated $124 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments.
Each U.S. household would pay $1,055 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry.
– Direct spending by resident and international travelers in the U.S. averaged $2.2 billion a day, $92.8 million an hour, $1.5 million a minute and $25,700 a second.
Travel and tourism is America’s largest services export industry
– $152.4 billion in travel exports (including traveler spending in the U.S. and international passenger fare payments to U.S. carriers) and the…
– $110.5 billion in travel imports (including U.S. resident spending abroad and international passenger fares paid to foreign carriers) creates…
– $42 billion in balance of travel trade surplus for the U.S.
Travel and tourism is one of America’s largest employers
– Supported 14.4 million jobs, including 7.5 million directly in the travel industry and 6.9 million in other industries.
– 1 out of every 9 jobs in the U.S. depends on travel and tourism.
– Generated $194.6 billion in payroll for those employed directly in U.S. travel.
– Travel is among the top 10 industries in 48 states and D.C. in terms of employment.
Happy National Travel and Tourism Week!
Do you love to travel? Tell us about your travel and tourism memories in the comments section below!
