On behalf of the United States’ travel and tourism industry, it is my pleasure to recognize World Tourism Day and applaud the many opportunities that this industry creates.

Each year on September 27, the United States and fellow nations around the globe pause to acknowledge the unifying nature of travel. Sanctioned by the U.N. World
Tourism Organization, World Tourism Day provides a platform that looks beyond borders and focuses on the common interests and benefits that travel provides.

For example, those who have visited the U.S. are 74 percent more likely to have a favorable opinion of our country. As President George Bush has said,
“We want people to come to our country. It’s in our nation’s interest that people be able to come and visit.”

To that I would add that the world is a friendlier, better place because oftravel and that’s why World Tourism Day is so important.

Travel and tourism is one of the largest industries in the United States.

• Direct travel expenditures total $700 billion.


• When considering direct, indirect and induced
  travel spending, travel is a $1.3 trillion enterprise.


• Travel provides direct employment for more than 7.5 million people.


• Tax receipts related to the travel sector contribute more than $109 billion to the
  economy.


• Travel creates a strong opportunity to strengthen America’s image abroad.


• Beyond the obvious benefits of travel (jobs, payroll, taxes, expenditures), travel creates added benefits for local communities such as urban revitalization, historic preservation and protection of natural resources.

I join hundreds of cities, states and travel-related businesses in the U.S. and around the world in celebrating World Tourism Day on September 27.