During this past week, cities across the U.S. united to observe National Travel & Tourism Week, a yearly tradition established by a Congressional resolution in 1983. The event honors the important contributions the travel industry makes to the economy.
The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau celebrated the tradition by creating an infographic of the economic impact meetings and conventions have on the city.
“At the Convention & Visitors Bureau, we promote Philadelphia’s assets to overseas visitors, travel and tour operators, as well as to meeting planners. The impact of these visitors on our local economy is staggering, helping to support more than 65,000 hospitality jobs in Philadelphia,” says Jack Ferguson, president/CEO, PHLCVB. “National Travel & Tourism Week is a time for us to showcase the power of these visitors and conventions, and this infographic tells that story in an entertaining way.”
In 2014, the travel and tourism industry had a tremendous impact on the U.S. $141.5 billion was generated in federal, state and local tax revenues, and $927.9 billion was derived from direct travel-related spending both by domestic and international travelers.
“Travel contributes to the fabric of America and continues to do wonders for our businesses and personal lives,” says Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, the umbrella organization representing the travel industry in the U.S. “This weeklong celebration should extend to every day of the week to strengthen further our dynamic industry.”
