Congressman Bilirakis Meets with Local Travel Leaders to Discuss Economy

This just in from the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management:

Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL) on Friday brought together travel and tourism industry leaders, as well as businesses directly impacted by the industry, for a roundtable event at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. At this event, local travel leaders thanked Congressman Bilirakis for his support of the JOLT Act and discussed the importance of international and domestic travel to the region's economy.

"One in eight Americans is employed by the travel industry," said Congressman Bilirakis. "Travel-friendly legislation, such as the JOLT Act, will open up international travel opportunities to the United States  adding to the nearly
$130 billion already generated from international travel in the United States in 2012 and creating more jobs for Americans."

Travel is one of the largest industries in the United States, employing more than 14 million Americans. In Florida alone, more than one million people are employed by the travel industry.

Travel advocates representing the U.S. Travel Association, Tampa International Airport, Saddlebrook Resort, Visit Tampa Bay, Pasco County Office of Tourism, Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Pasco County International Tourism Committee, Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and New Hampton Inn & Suites joined Bilirakis at the event. The meeting highlighted policies that the state's Congressional delegation can support in Washington to encourage travel, welcome more visitors and generate economic activity at the local level.

"Travel and tourism is vital to the greater Tampa Bay area and Florida' economy," stated Thomas Dempsey, owner, Saddlebrook Resort. "As a local destination business owner, I know firsthand how important travel-friendly public policy is to the local job market and the economic prosperity of our state and nation."

America's travel industry has been critical to fueling our nation's economic recovery. Job gains in the travel sector have outpaced other areas of the economy, totaling 14.6 million jobs as of 2011, and $200.9 billion in travel-generated payroll for those employed directly by the U.S. travel industry. Increasing travel to the United States is one of the most effective forms of economic stimulus  injecting billions into the U.S. economy and creating millions of new jobs here at home.

"We are grateful to the local, state and federal policy makers at today's event for recognizing the importance of travel and tourism to the regional and national economy," said Courtney Temple of the U.S. Travel Association. "Travel is our Number One services export and has created jobs at a 15 percent faster rate than the rest of the economy since the recession. Our public-private partnerships are a big contributor to that."