Across the globe, September 27th heralds World Tourism Day, an annual event sanctioned by the U.N. World Tourism Organization.
In Washington this year, the salute will be highlighted at the Travel Leadership Summit, where 27 state tourism leaders and dozens of cities will convene to press passage of the Travel Promotion Act (S.1661 / H.R. 3232) and discuss other key issues to Congress.
The global theme of World Tourism Day, “Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change”, is among the key business and public policy issues fronting the U.S. travel industry. In June, TIA issued a Primer on Travel and Climate Change that provided a starting point for travel’s increased involved in environmental policies. Also, American Express and TIA will release next month a landmark Travel Sustainability Initiative that is designed to make crucial information available and to guide the travel industry in its response to assuring sustainability in travel and tourism.
“World Tourism Day signals the benefits that travel and tourism creates among places around the globe,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of the Travel Industry Association (TIA). “With tourism arrivals worldwide achieving new records, it is more important than ever that we recognize the importance that this industry plays on our diplomacy, security, economy and culture. I join my colleagues in saluting World Tourism Day from the United States on this special day.”
Travel and tourism is one of the largest employers in the United States, directly generating earnings of $171 billion that supports 7.5 million jobs across every local economy. Domestic and international travel expenditures total $740 billion, making it one of America’s largest industries.
To learn more about World Tourism Day, contact the World Tourism Organization at www.unwto.org/wtd.
About Travel Industry Association (TIA)
The Travel Industry Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry. TIA’s mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. TIA is proud to be a partner in travel with American Express. For more information, visit www.TIA.org.