May 15, 2009

Orlando/Orange County CVB Luncheon Celebrates 26th Annual National Travel and Tourism Week

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando/Orange County CVB) joined the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Travel Association to celebrate the 26^th Annual National Travel and Tourism Week May 9-17 with a luncheon. On May 15, the Orlando/Orange County CVB held its May member luncheon that brought together industry leaders to reaffirm that travel matters for our economic recovery because it fuels our economy; it means jobs and growth and enhances productivity. Geoff Freeman, of the U.S. Travel Association, provided an update on tourism from a national and international perspective and also talked about the national Meetings Mean Business campaign that aims to direct and promote travel and meetings to consumers and business.

National Travel and Tourism Week was enacted by Congress in 1983, and is sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association, the world's largest travel industry association.  Travel strengthens our national economy by contributing $740 billion in spending and employs 7.7 million individuals with a payroll $189 billion. In Central Florida, travel and tourism contributes more than $ 30 billion dollars to our local economy, employs nearly 400,000 people and $17 billion dollars in payroll.   Travel and tourism also helps offset our national debt by producing a $17.6 billion travel trade surplus for America and a tax subsidy for each U.S. household of $988. 

"In these challenging economic times travel and tourism is vital to our recovery because it strengthens relationships, whether personal or business.  Now more than ever, local travel and tourism leaders need to share and reflect on the successes and benefits of travel and meetings of our destination," said Gary C. Sain, president and CEO of the Orlando/Orange County CVB. "National Travel and Tourism Week provides that occasion and an opportunity to talk about the future"   

The Orlando/Orange County CVB held several events during National Travel and Tourism Week.  Highlights include kicking off this special week with the I-Drive 5K Charity Run benefiting the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center on May 9, a weeklong promotion for savings, prizes and fun at the Orlando Official Visitor Center, and a Tourism Makes Me Smile Rally in downtown Orlando on May 12.  Special proclamations from the City of Orlando and Orange County governments declared May 9- 17 National Travel and Tourism week in Orlando.

Business travel creates 2.4 million jobs in the United States, and accounts for $240 billion in spending.  Orlando is the second largest business destination country, serving nearly 11 million attendees and holding more than 5,000 meetings, conventions and trade shows. 

"Travel and tourism is Orange County's largest industry and a key element to our community's economic recovery," said Mayor Rich Crotty, Orange County Government.  "Travel and tourism matters because it generates $17 billion a year in wages and employs one in every three residents in Orange County."

Orlando welcomed 48 million visitors in 2007 and the tourism industry continues to build a solid infrastructure.  The destination currently has more than $2 billion in construction projects underway including: the Hilton Convention Center, the Peabody Orlando expansion, and the Hilton Hotel and Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek.

 "Travel and tourism matter for our economic recovery, because it continues to build and support our construction industry," said Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando. "Travel and tourism generates 48 percent of our sales tax and saves the average Orlando household $540 in property taxes each year."