Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Happy N.C. Travel & Tourism Day!

According to the Watauga Democrat, Gov. Bev Perdue has proclaimed today, Tuesday, May 18 as "Travel and Tourism Day" to celebrate an industry vital to the economic stability and growth of North Carolina.

"A healthy travel and tourism industry is an important part of creating and sustaining jobs in North Carolina. Travel and tourism sustains 378,000 jobs while bringing $22.2 billion to the state each year," Gov. Perdue said. "We welcome visitors from around the country and worldwide, and I encourage our residents to see and celebrate all the marvelous attractions of our home state."

A full-day of events is scheduled in Raleigh on May 18 to celebrate North Carolina's tourism industry. Tourism organizations from around the state will have informational booths in the N.C. Legislative Building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The N.C. Travel Industry Association is coordinating exhibit booths that provide an opportunity for lawmakers to meet tourism industry officials and learn about the positive impact of the industry.

Don't think tourism is important? Check out some of these facts:

N.C. travel and tourism generates $22.2 billion a year in total economic demand.

This economic activity sustains 378,000 jobs, and 8.6 percent of all wage and salary employment in the state is directly or indirectly dependent on tourism. Nearly $10 billion in compensation is generated by tourism demand.

Including indirect and induced impacts, tourism in North Carolina generates $2.6 billion in state and local taxes and $2.7 billion in federal taxes.

Tourism saves every North Carolina family $360 per year in taxes.

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