Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau
Release:05/11/10

The Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau and Albany Welcome Center will lead Albany, GA’s travel workers in a Travel Rally on Tuesday, May 11 at the Albany Welcome Center, 112 North Front Street. This is one of dozens of rallies nationwide on the same day marking the 27th annual National Travel and Tourism Week. Travel Rally Day demonstrates in human terms the value of travel to the local community by showing support for the jobs and economic impact created by visitors.

“We will rally on Tuesday for every person in our community that depends on travelers for their jobs and livelihoods,” said Lisa Riddle, Director of the Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Travel and tourism is one of the most reliable generators of jobs at all levels of the American economy, including right here in Albany. We aim to show the powerful role of travel in this community.”

Travel and tourism is a $178 million industry for Albany, GA providing 2000 jobs and generating more than $5 million in tax revenue locally. Travel is a broad and diverse industry employing a vast workforce, from airline and attraction employees to restaurant, hotel and taxi workers.

“Today, we stand up for travel,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, the umbrella organization representing the U.S. travel industry. “Travel is one of the country’s biggest employers with more than 10 million Americans depending on this industry for their paychecks.  Everyday travel powers our economy in cities and states across the country.”

The U.S. Travel Association reports that travel and tourism is one of America’s largest industries. Direct spending by domestic and international travelers generated $704 billion in the nation’s economy last year. The industry also represents one of America’s largest employers, accounting for more than 10 million direct and indirect jobs. Though the travel workforce has declined as a result of the prolonged recession, the industry expects to add 90,000 new American jobs due to modest gains in travel expected in 2010. U.S. Travel projects 1.95 billion domestic person-trips will take place this year, up 2 percent from last year. International arrivals are expected to total 56.5 million in 2010, an increase of nearly 3 percent over 2009, according to U.S. Travel.

“In these times more than ever, everything we can do to support our travel and tourism industry helps Albany,” said Catherine Glover, President of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. “It is vital that we continue to remember the value of encouraging travel to our great destination and showing visitors all that it has to offer.”