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This is National Travel and Tourism Week, an annual tradition since 1984 for the first full week of May. According to the week’s website, www.ustravel.org, travel and tourism is one of America’s largest industries, one of the country’s largest service export industries and one of America’s largest employers.
“On a national basis, travel is a force that is driving our economic recovery, employing one out of every nine Americans,” Cori Day, Independence’s director of tourism, said in a news release. “In Independence, our tourism industry employs an energized workforce that includes not only obvious industries, such as hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail, but also employees in construction, transportation, manufacturing and finance.”
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$130 million Amount of tax revenues generated by travelers’ spending in Independence last year. |
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14.4 million U.S. jobs supported by travel in 2011, making travel among the largest private-sector employers in the country. |
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$1.9 trillion Amount of economic output, in trillions of dollars generated in 2011 because of travel. |
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62 Days left until the 83rd All-Star Game (July 10) at Kauffman Stadium, which city officials are saying will be a major tourism draw for Independence and the Eastern Jackson County area. |
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$2-3 million
Estimated economic impact on Independence because of the All-Star Game, whether it’s shopping, eating at restaurants or staying in hotels. |
