If you’ve been to downtown Savannah recently, you’ve no doubt seen the onslaught of visitors into our city. This is tourism’s busy season.
And it’s the reason we celebrate National Tourism and Travel Week from May 2-10.
On Thursday, April 30, city of Savannah leaders made a proclamation to that effect at their regularly scheduled council meeting. The room was filled with tourism workers.
It all serves as a reminder that tourism really is a great benefit for all of us. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tourism recovered far faster than other economic sectors from jobs lost to the recession.
In the U.S., travel is among the top-performing American exports. It counts as an export because when international travelers visit the U.S., they are spending foreign currency on U.S. goods and services. Travel now accounts for fully 10 percent of U.S. exports, in fact—the country’s second largest industry export.
Locally, tourism and hospitality is the second largest economic driver bringing in $2.3 billion in spending. That equates to more than 24,000 jobs, employing more locals than any other industry.
Nationally, tourism-related employment rose 2.7 percent, accounting for nearly 7.8 million American jobs. This represents the 19th consecutive quarter of job growth for the industry.
Given the extraordinary effect of travel, we should seek more avenues of support for our industry.
On a national level, we need to modernize our travel infrastructure. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport has received a host of accolades, but not a single U.S. airport is ranked in the top 25 in the world.
One way we could help that is by re-working our user fee structure that funds capital projects at major airports. It hasn’t been indexed for inflation since 2000. If that were corrected, airports could modernize outdated air traffic control system and expand terminal space, which would improve prices and service for customers because new carriers could enter markets and compete with the bigger airlines.
Also before our country’s leaders is the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act of 2015 or the J.O.L.T.
Act of 2015. It was introduced in the House in March and was sent to committee for review. It would allow vetted, international travelers a bit more ease when traveling abroad.
On the state level, Gov. Nathan Deal, as of this writing, still has not signed the Transportation Funding Bill. The funding model, as it stands, would tack on a $5 fee to each night’s stay at each lodging property. We stand to lose a lot of business to neighboring states because of this added fee.
Locally, the city of Savannah is working on a tourism management plan that will shape this community in the coming years. They’re also working on updating the test for tour guides as well as the alcohol ordinance.
Additionally, to answer the crime epidemic that could be a great detriment to the tourism community, the city is considering a comprehensive ambassador program called Savannah Serves. This public-private partnership would get ambassadors on the streets in downtown Savannah to promote a safer, cleaner, friendlier downtown.
All of these issues are things you could weigh in on. At the Tourism Leadership Council, we exist to advocate for the tourism community. This week, as we celebrate the National Travel and Tourism Week, we’re inviting you to check out issues concerning tourism on our website (www.TourismLeadershipCouncil.com).
We provide links for you to do the research and then contact your government representatives.
Tourism makes a difference in our lives every day. It provides a quality of life that would not otherwise be available and lowers our property taxes. It provides jobs to more than 24,000 people. It increases the funding we have for city services like parks and street sweeps.
Take time to celebrate tourism this week and see how you can help make tourism even stronger for our residents, business community and our workforce.
Michael Owens is president/CEO of the Tourism Leadership Council, the largest nonprofit trade organization that supports and represents the tourism industry. Contact Owens at michael@tourismleadershipcouncil.com or by calling 912-232-1223.
By Michael Owens