[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 65 (Friday, May 2, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 2, 2014

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Representative Gus Bilirakis, my 
co-chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, and our caucus 
members Representatives Madeleine Bordallo, G.K. Butterfield, Tony 
Cardenas, Donna Christensen, Blake Farenthold, Lois Frankel, Tulsi 
Gabbard, Alan Grayson, Janice Hahn, Colleen Hanabusa, Joe Heck, Ruben 
Hinojosa, Michael Honda, Jared Huffman, William Keating, Ann 
Kirkpatrick, Billy Long, Cynthia Lummis, Kristi Noem, Steve Pearce, 
Pedro R. Pierluisi, Scott Peters, Bill Posey, Dave Reichert, Bobby 
Rush, Gregorio Sablan, Loretta Sanchez, Steve Stivers, Pat Tiberi, Dina 
Titus, Juan Vargas, and Frederica Wilson, we offer our support in 
celebrating this year's National Travel and Tourism Week.
  The week of May 3 through 11, 2014 is designated as National Travel 
and Tourism Week in the United States. This commemorative week reminds 
us that travel is a major driver of U.S. economic growth and prosperity 
as well as an important business tool that promotes efficiency and 
productivity.
  America's travel industry accounted for $2.1 billion in economic 
output in 2013, supported nearly 15 million U.S. jobs and generated 
nearly $134 billion in local, state and federal tax revenue. Travel and 
tourism account for 2.7 percent of U.S. GDP and travel is America's No. 
1 U.S. industry export.
  Travel is a pillar of economic growth. One out of every nine jobs in 
America depends on travel and tourism. Travel is among the top 10 
industries in 49 states, the U.S. Territories, and the District of 
Columbia in terms of employment. Travel is currently creating jobs at a 
17 percent faster rate than other economic sectors. 84 percent of 
companies in the travel industry are classified as small businesses.
  When U.S. travelers spend money in other countries, their purchases 
are counted as imports. When international travelers visit the United 
States, the goods and services they purchase here are counted as 
exports. U.S. travel exports totaled $181 billion in 2013, generating a 
positive balance of trade of more than $57 billion.
  Travel, in the context of business meetings, events and incentive 
travel, constitutes a core business function that helps companies 
strengthen business performance, educate employees and customers and 
reward business accomplishments. Business travel yields a return on 
investment of $9.50 in increased revenue for every dollar spent.
  The majority of all trips taken to and within the United States 
involve leisure travel, which benefits every state and territory in the 
country, and was valued at $621.4 billion in 2013, and generated $91.9 
billion in tax revenue. Leisure travel can be educational, increase 
historical and cultural awareness of our country and the world, 
stimulate creativity and productivity, and enhance longevity by 
allowing us to recharge our batteries and improve our health and 
wellness.
  We strongly support National Travel and Tourism Week as an 
opportunity to express to the Nation the importance of travel in 
creating economic growth and opportunity, and enhancing the quality of 
life in the United States.

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