by Donald Wood
Last updated: 2:09 PM ET, Thu March 8, 2018
The United States Travel Association has released a new tool designed to show the impact of traveler spending on a state's economy.
The Travel Economic Impact Calculator (TEIC) shows how an increase or decrease in tourism spending directly impacts public sector jobs like firefighters, police officers and public school teachers.
With the fear that lawmakers could cut state and destination marketing budgets, the U.S. Travel Association is showcasing how investment in tourism promotion attracts more visitors, creates jobs, invigorates local economies and generates tax revenue supporting public services.
"Travel is an engine for economic and job growth, and it helps communities maintain a level of service that would require more taxes, had it not been for travel-generated tax revenue," U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger Dow said in a statement. "Just a one or two percent decline in travel spending can disrupt a state's economy at every level-not just jobs at hotels, attractions, and restaurants, but also the income generated to pay for public services like police, firefighters, and school teachers."
The TEIC tool revealed the travel industry generated $72 billion in local and state tax revenue in 2016, which is enough to pay for the salaries of 987,000 police and firefighters, 1.1 million secondary school teachers or 1.2 million elementary school teachers.
On the other hand, cutting tourism marketing budgets can cause decreases in visitors and their spending. "We're releasing this tool so decision-makers can easily see how small changes in visitation-up or down-can have significant effects for states and communities.," Dow continued.
The U.S. Travel Association also provides resources for policymakers and key stakeholders regarding the benefits of travel promotion, including the Power of Travel Promotion report.
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