Thomas Foley: “The travel industry supports 7 million jobs contributing 127.8 billion in payroll expenditures. The restaurant industry…”

“The travel industry supports 7 million jobs contributing 127.8 billion in payroll expenditures. The restaurant industry is the leading source of travel industry jobs in the United States. Employment growth in the travel industry continues to outpace job growth in the overall economy. During 1997 the industry produced more than 200,000 new tourism jobs. The travel industry generates more than $70 billion in Federal, State and local tax revenue. 47.8 million foreign travelers visited the United States in 1997, spending $94.2 billion. Last year visits from international travelers fell 1 percent. This drop represented 627,000 less travelers, 950 million in lost spending and 121 million in lost tax to Federal, State and local governments.”