This week is the US Travel Association’s 26th Annual National Travel and Tourism Week with the theme “Travel Matters.” Throughout the week, different events have been planned to spotlight travel, tourism and hospitality industries as a way to create/keep jobs and help set the economy back on track by driving tax revenues. In particular, today - 5/13, travel industry leaders will meet with President Obama to discuss the importance of meetings and events to the US economy and participate in a Senate hearing on travel. Also, in support of this week, the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus committee is introducing a resolution which calls on elected officials (including the President) to issue proclamations that promote the economic value of travel.

It will be interesting to see what happens and to keep following our industry’s fight to keep meetings and travel in the limelight with positive media coverage. For more information on how meetings, events, travel and tourism impact our economy check out these sources:

Keep America Meeting
http://www.keepamericameeting.org/

Meetings Mean Business
http://www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com/

US Travel Association
http://www.ustravel.org/index.html