[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 65 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE BENEFITS OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM CELEBRATING NATIONAL TRAVEL AND 
                              TOURISM WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, from California's Central Coast to Alabama's 
Gulf Coast and every single Congressional district in between, travel 
and tourism plays an important economic role in all of our local 
communities. This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, a 
celebration of the $2 trillion economic engine that helps drive our 
nation's economy. As the co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional 
Travel and Tourism caucus, we would like to take this moment to raise 
awareness for America's number one export and to explain how the 
``Travel Effect'' benefits everyone.
  The Travel Effect is simple: It is the economic benefit that every 
single community feels thanks to travel. Supporting over 14.6 million 
American jobs, the travel industry is a top 10 employer in 48 states 
and the District of Columbia. Today, one in every eight jobs depends 
upon travel.
  Contributing more than $129 billion to the federal, state and local 
tax base, the Travel Effect means that Americans pay fewer taxes. 
Without those added revenues, the average household would pay over 
$1,000 in additional taxes. At 2.8% of our nation's GDP and growing at 
a rate faster than all other industries, travel will play an important 
role in driving down deficits for years to come.
  Thanks to our efforts here in Washington, the United States is now 
promoting the entire country as a premier travel destination to the 
world. Brand USA, the nation's Destination Marking Organization created 
by Congress, will help bring in 81 million visitors to the United 
States by 2016, a 36 percent increase equivalent to 21 million more 
travelers as compared with 2010. This influx of new visitors will help 
create over a half a million new jobs in communities all across the 
country.
  And you do not have to live in a coastal district or near a major 
tourist destination to feel the Travel Effect. Historic sites, museums 
in your community and other local destinations all play a role in 
building our travel economy. In other words, travel is right in your 
own backyard!
  During this year's National Travel and Tourism Week, we call on all 
members to support the travel industry. While the Travel Effect is 
great now, its potential is even greater. If we recognize that 
potential in all of our communities, then the Travel Effect will 
continue to benefit every town across the United States.

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