Congressman Bilirakis Meets with Local Travel Leaders to Discuss Economy

Today, Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), brought together travel and tourism industry leaders, as well as businesses directly impacted by the industry, for a roundtable event at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. At this event, local travel leaders, including the U.S. Travel Association, Tampa International Airport, Saddlebrook Resort, Visit Tampa Bay, Pasco County Office of Tourism, Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Pasco County International Tourism Committee, Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and New Hampton Inn & Suites, thanked Congressman Bilirakis for his support of the JOLT Act and discussed the importance of international and domestic travel to the region?s economy.

Travel is one of the largest industries in the United States, employing more than 14 million Americans nationwide and more than one million people in Florida alone. Travel-friendly legislation, such as the JOLT Act, will open up international travel opportunities to the United States ? adding to the nearly $130 billion already generated from international travel in the United States in 2012 ? and creating more jobs for Americans.

America?s travel industry has been critical to fueling our nation?s economic recovery. Job gains in the travel sector have outpaced other areas of the economy, totaling 14.6 million jobs as of 2011, and $200.9 billion in travel-generated payroll for those employed directly by the U.S. travel industry. Increasing travel to the United States is one of the most effective forms of economic stimulus ? injecting billions into the U.S. economy and creating millions of new jobs here at home.

To learn more about the meeting, check out this Tampa Bay Times article.

###