On the recordMay 7, 2018
As the Democratic chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, I rise to celebrate the 35th annual National Travel and Tourism Week, which provides us an opportunity to showcase the importance of travel and tourism in creating economic growth and opportunity and enhancing the quality of life in every district throughout the United States. Our second largest industry export and our seventh largest employer, travel generates $2.4 trillion for the U.S. economy and supports some 15.6 million jobs. In southern Nevada alone, tourism generates nearly $60 billion annually. Last year, 42 million visitors came to Las Vegas, and we hosted almost 20,000 conventions, which brought in 6 million people from around the world. So, as we honor the valuable contributions of the hardworking people in this vital industry, I want to remind my colleagues that we need to support its growth and development by making real investments in the country's infrastructure so we can increase the efficiency and reliability of travel and encourage greater tourism to Las Vegas and all the United States. It is about putting out a welcome mat and setting a bigger table. ____________________
