National Tourism Week

Next week we will celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week (May 1-7, 2016). NTTW was established by Congressional resolution in 1983 and is the annual salute to travel in America. Saluting and celebrating travel? What’s up with that? This celebration is a “toot your own horn” event allowing communities to showcase the impact of travel to policymakers, business leaders, local media and the public.

As one of the top 10 employers of American workers in 49 of the 50 states (according to the U.S. Travel Association), the Tourism industry is a big deal! Travel supports 15.1 million jobs in the U.S. In Kansas, tourism has an employment impact of 92,698 jobs, which represents 4.9% of all employment in the state.  With the upturn in the economy, the travel industry has outpaced job growth in the rest of the economy by 22 percent. Kansas tourism employment has grown for four straight years, outpacing state employment growth.

Travel is one of America’s largest industries and generates $2.1 trillion for the U.S. economy. Kansas sees a $9.8 billion total economic impact. What businesses represent the travel and tourism industry you ask?  Service industries which benefit from tourism include transportation services such as airlines, cruise ships, and taxicabs; hospitality services such as a hotels and resorts; and entertainment venues such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, music venues, and theatres.

Without the travel industry $147.9 billion in tax revenues for local, state and federal governments would not have been generated. Without this revenue, each U.S. household would pay $1,187 more in taxes! Tourism activity in Kansas brings in  $570 million. Yes travel and tourism actively brings in $570 million in state and local government revenues.

Locally, we have two events and some social media fun planned for National Travel & Tourism Week. On Monday, May 2, we will kick off the week with a contest on Facebook and those participating will have a chance to win a gift basket. On Tuesday, May 3, we have invited local dignitaries and tourism partners to a reception at our office to thank them for all they do. And on Wednesday, May 4, we will sponsor Trivia Night at Mulready’s Pub.

Help us promote travel and tourism in Emporia by inviting your family and friends who live out of town to come visit you this summer. Emporia has a nice variety of one-of-a-kind dining, shopping and entertainment venues. We invite you to like us on Facebook (VisitEmporia) and follow us on Twitter (@VisitEmporia) and participate in our Facebook contest next week. Chat with  you then!