New Orleans’ Hospitality Industry Unites for National Travel and Tourism Week 2012

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2012

New Orleans' Hospitality Industry Unites for
 National Travel and Tourism Week 2012
Hundreds of industry representatives march down Royal Street in support of the U.S. Travel Association, declaring the power of tourism in New Orleans

WHAT:           Third Annual National Travel and Tourism Week Parade and Travel Rally

WHERE:  Start: The Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., 9:00 a.m.

                End: The Cabildo, Jackson Square for press conference (approximately 9:30 a.m.)

WHEN:          Tuesday, May 8, 2012

DETAILS: On May 8, 2012, New Orleans' hospitality industry will join together in support of the city's economic engine - tourism- which generates $5 billion in economic impact annually and welcomed 8.75 million visitors in 2011. The parade and rally will unite members of the New Orleans City Council, hospitality industry leaders, front-line workers and supporters of one of the city's most prosperous industries. New Orleans is one of several cities across the country organizing a travel event in support of National Travel and Tourism Week.

Travel and tourism is one of America's largest industries, directly generating $124 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments. One out of every nine jobs in the U.S. depends on travel and tourism, and travel is among the top 10 industries in 48 states and Washington, D.C. in terms of employment.

The Mardi Gras-style parade will feature marching bands, mini-floats, Mardi Gras Indians, stilt walkers and much more. Beginning at the Hotel Monteleone at 9:00 a.m. sharp, the parade will travel down Royal Street, turning on Toulouse Street then Chartres Street and ending at the Cabildo in Jackson Square for a press conference, where industry leaders will discuss the power of travel. Following the press conference, Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and board member for the U.S. Travel Association, will be available for interviews.

Press conference speakers include:

• Stephen Perry; President and CEO of New Orleans CVB
• Fred Sawyers; Chairman of New Orleans CVB
• Terry Epton; President of Host Global Alliance
• Elected officials and local dignitaries

National Travel and Tourism Week was first celebrated in 1984 when the US Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983, designating the week to be celebrated annually in May. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with "the appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The parade will be followed by a luncheon on Thursday, May 10 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, where actor Brian Batt will serve as emcee.

More Travel Facts*

Travel and tourism is one of America's largest industries

• Generated $1.9 trillion in economic output, with $813 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers that spurred an additional $1.1 trillion in other industries.
• Each U.S. household would pay $1,055 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry.
• Direct spending by resident and international travelers in the U.S. averaged $2.2 billion a day, $92.8 million an hour, $1.5 million a minute and $25,700 a second.
  

Travel and tourism is America's largest services export industry

• $152.4 billion in travel exports (including traveler spending in the U.S. and international passenger fare payments to U.S. carriers) and the...
• $110.5 billion in travel imports (including U.S. resident spending abroad and international passenger fares paid to foreign carriers) creates...
• $42 billion in balance of travel trade surplus for the U.S.
  

Travel and tourism is one of America's largest employers

• Supported 14.4 million jobs, including 7.5 million directly in the travel industry and 6.9 million in other industries.
• Generated $194.6 billion in payroll for those employed directly in U.S. travel.
  

*source: U.S. Travel Association

WEBSITE: www.neworleanscvb.com/nationaltourismweek or www.ustravel.org/marketing/national-travel-and-tourism-week

MEDIA CONTACTS:
New Orleans CVB: Jenn Lotz, 504-376-3253, jlotz@neworleanscvb.com

High res images of the 2011 NTW Rally/Parade available upon request.

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