[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H10083-H10084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE RAPID GROWTH IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth] is recognized during 
morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, America needs a bold agenda for change, change 
not only in the way we do business, but in a new way at looking at the 
world. Consider for a moment that the single largest global revenue 
producer for individuals and governments, travel and tourism, has been 
almost totally ignored. Yet, like a sleeping giant, travel and tourism 
is awakening from its slumber, and everyone, particularly the 
politicians, will have to stand and take notice.
  This year, travel and tourism is finally getting a little of the 
recognition it deserves, and justly so. Travel and tourism employs some 
204 million worldwide, almost as many people as we have living in the 
United States minus California. That equals 10 percent of the global 
work force.
  Tourism produces $655 billion in tax revenue. More than 10 percent of 
all capital investment worldwide goes into travel and tourism. Maybe 
that is why travel and tourism is growing 23 percent faster than the 
world economy.
  But the most revealing statistic, the one that should make all of us 
collectively hang a welcome sign on every port of entry into the United 
States, is that there is an increase of some 50 million travelers, an 
increase of some 50 million travelers worldwide in the next 5 years. 
This could mean tens of thousands of new jobs for American workers, but 
only if we in Congress have the foresight to take advantage of this 
remarkable opportunity.
  Yet when it comes to travel and tourism, we in Congress have been 
more than willing to take a back seat to any other country in the 
world, any country, that is willing to put priority in job creation. We 
in Congress have been oblivious to the dynamics of travel and tourism, 
the tremendous force in this industry, the tremendous force it has on 
our economy. We are all too often engrossed in issues of the day and 
fail to take a look at the big picture.
  That is why as chairman of the 297-member Travel and Tourism Caucus, 
the largest caucus in Congress, I ask all Members to focus on the 
juggernaut of this global economy.
  Also, on a personal note for each Member, let me repeat a fact that 
you are all acquainted with. Travel and tourism is either the first, 
second, or third largest employer in your congressional district. These 
are the businesses, the working men and women in your district. Think 
of them when you think of travel and tourism. Virtually all over the 
world, and particularly in 

[[Page H 10084]]
the United States, travel and tourism is the predominant industry for 
jobs that our people need. But note well, the United States is losing 
its market share in travel and tourism, and this means that we are 
losing jobs and tax revenue.
  Effectively ignored all too often by Congress for its economic 
benefits, travel and tourism has had a rough row to hoe, a road full of 
tax pitfalls, disincentives and economic roadblocks, and American 
workers, small businesses and local economies, especially in our small 
towns, have suffered.
  What should we do? I will start by telling you what I am not willing 
to do. I am not willing to see thousands of new jobs created in other 
countries and sit back wondering why it did not happen here in the 
United States. I am not willing to see Main Street, America fade away 
and then wonder was there something I could have done or other Members 
of Congress could have done.
  On October 30 and 31 of this year, in a few days, we will hold the 
first ever White House Conference on Travel and Tourism. We are going 
to strategize on a national tourism plan that will create jobs here in 
America, keep Main Street alive, and pump new tourism dollars into our 
local economies.
  As a member of the Travel and Tourism Caucus, this is your 
conference, too. Come, take part, and get in step with the American 
working people. One out of every nine workers is employed by travel and 
tourism. Just think of the tremendous impact this industry has on your 
congressional district.
  For us the travel and tourism industry is the No. 1 source of foreign 
revenue. Fifty-six billion dollars came into the United States last 
year because of foreign tourists, $56 billion that we did not have to 
get from our taxpayers here in this country. Travel and tourism has 
moved to the forefront of our national economy. It cannot be ignored, 
and justly so.
  Mr. Speaker, if the Members have not already done so, I invite them 
as Members of Congress to join the 297 members of the Travel and 
Tourism Caucus. Join us on October 30 and 31 at the White House 
conference and get involved in this blockbuster industry of the 1990's 
and the 21st century.
  Let me predict that as we move into the new century, travel and 
tourism will be No. 1 in jobs, No. 1 in revenue, No. 1 in economic 
activity, and I invite you all to join the Travel and Tourism Caucus 
today.

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