30th Annual National Travel and Tourism Week

Floor Speech

Ms. TITUS. I rise today in recognition of National Travel and Tourism Week, and I will be introducing a resolution to that effect later today.

Travel and tourism make up the lifeblood of our economy in southern Nevada: 383,000 southern Nevada jobs are supported by the tourism industry, accounting for 47 percent of southern Nevada's labor force and generating $45 billion in economic activity.

Men and women are employed in the convention, entertainment, gaming, and related service industries. Their hard work, ingenuity, and dedication make Las Vegas one of the world's premier travel destinations for business and pleasure. Last year, nearly 40 million visitors came to Las Vegas. In addition, we hosted over 21,000 conventions and meetings, which brought in some 5 million national and international tourists, most of whom spent considerable time in District One. Furthermore, 43 percent of these visitors traveled through McCarran Airport, which is the Nation's sixth busiest airport, also located in District One.

So for the sake of southern Nevada's economy and our national future, we must make real investments in our country's infrastructure in order to increase the efficiency and reliability of travel and to encourage greater tourism to the United States and to Las Vegas.

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