Travel and Tourism Week

WHEREAS, travel is important to the nation’s economic prosperity, its image abroad, to business wealth and to individual travelers; and

WHEREAS, travel to and within the United States provides significant economic benefits for the nation, generating $1.9 trillion in economic output in 2011, with $813 billion spent directly by travelers that spurred an additional $1.1 trillion in other industries; and

WHEREAS, the travel industry is among one of the largest private sector employers in the United States, supporting 14.4 million jobs in 2011, including 7.5 million jobs directly in the travel industry and 6.9 million in other industries; and

WHEREAS, travelers’ spending directly generated tax revenues of $124 billion for federal, state and local governments, funds used to support essential services and programs; and

WHEREAS, international travel to the United States is the nation’s largest single export industry – greater than the export of business services, machinery, computer and electronic products, motor vehicles and agriculture; in 2011, travel generated $152.4 billion in exports, creating $42 billion in balance of travel trade surplus for the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, meetings, events and incentive travel are core business functions that help companies strengthen business performance, averaging a return on investment of $12.50 in profits and $3.80 in revenue for every dollar spent on corporate travel, align and educate employees and customers, and reward business accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, leisure travel, which accounts for more than three-quarters of all trips taken in the United States, spurs countless benefits to travelers’ creativity, cultural awareness, education, happiness, productivity, relationships and wellness; and

WHEREAS, travel is a catalyst that moves the national economy forward:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of May 4 through May 12, 2013, as

Travel and Tourism Week

in the state of Alabama.