America’s 3rd Largest Retail Sales Industry
$555 BIllion total expenditures
$95 BIllion in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments

One of America’s Largest Employers
Employs 7.2 million people directly.
Tourism is 1st, 2nd, or 3rd largest employer in 30 states and the District of ColumBIa
$158.4 BIllion in travel-generated payroll

During Jan – Sept, 2004,  domestic travel up nearly 3%
Leisure travel up 2.0%, exceeded by 6.8% gain in business/convention travel
Strong gains in air and hotel volume over 2003
International travel to U.S. exceeding expectations