Washington, DC
- The U.S. travel industry next week launches the 26th Annual National
Travel and Tourism Week with a nationwide focus on establishing travel
as a solution to America's ongoing economic challenges. This year's
theme - "Travel Matters" - highlights travel's unique ability to create
jobs, stimulate economic recovery and drive needed tax revenue in all
fifty states. The U.S. Travel Association is organizing simultaneous
rallies in more than 30 cities coast-to-coast, the U.S. Senate is
hosting a hearing and AOL® Travel will launch a special online
feature for travelers on a budget.
"Our industry wants to do everything we can to strengthen the nation's
economy by getting Americans back on the road and in the skies," said
Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "The
travel dollar permeates the American economy and is critical to saving
and creating the jobs that America desperately needs."
The activities planned for National Travel and Tourism Week
include:
- Travel
Rally Day. Demonstrating their passion for travel,
thousands of industry employees will take to the streets of more than
30 cities on May 12 to demonstrate their support for travel and its
importance to state and local economies. The U.S. Travel
Association organized the events, in part, to provide an outlet to the
2.4 million Americans whose jobs depend on the business travel that
came under attack earlier this year by select policymakers and
sensational media coverage. According to an analysis by Smith
Travel Research and the U.S. Travel Association, the travel industry
lost nearly $2 billion in January and February 2009 due to mass
cancelations of business meetings and events.
- Senate
Hearing on Travel. Congress is stepping in to address the
projected loss of nearly 450,000 travel-related jobs during 2008 and
2009. Chairman Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ranking
Member Mel Martinez (R-FL) from the U.S. Senate
Commerce subcommittee with jurisdiction over travel issues will hold a
hearing on May 13 to discuss how the industry and its 7.7 million
employees are adapting to troubled times created by a depressed economy
and continued barriers to travel, such as an antiquated air travel
system and a global concern with the U.S. visa and entry process.
- AOL®
Travel special feature. AOL® Travel has developed a
special online feature timed with National Travel and Tourism Week that
includes approximately 100 U.S. Travel member organizations. "Free
Things To Do Across America," a series of four regional galleries, is
spotlighting free and interesting travel activities nationwide for
travelers on a budget. AOL plans a promotional push beginning Monday
that will last throughout the week and content will remain on the site
throughout the summer available at www.travel.aol.com.
- Congressional
Resolution. The Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus,
co-chaired by Representative Sam Farr (D-CA-17) and Representative
Roy Blunt (R-MO-7) has introduced a resolution (H.Con.Res.105)
to support the designation of National Travel and Tourism Week that
calls on elected officials from across the country to issue
proclamations to raise awareness of the value of travel to the welfare
of the nation and to encourage the President to issue a proclamation
encouraging the people of the United States to observe the week with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
About AOL
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most
popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software
and services, runs one of the largest Internet access businesses in the
U.S., and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A
majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC and its
subsidiaries have operations in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Asia.
Learn more at AOL.com.
About U.S. Travel Association
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization
representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry. U.S.
Travel's mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and
within the United States. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.
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