Tourism creates jobs. Tourism fosters community pride. Tourism builds strong infrastructure.
“We know we are in for a long recovery. According to STR and Tourism Economics most recent forecast shows that by the end of 2021, average hotel occupancy will still only have returned to around 78% of what it was at the end of 20191. As many states conclude their fiscal year and adjust their priorities to accommodate funding decreases, the need to tell the story of tourism’s impact is just beginning.
The power of tourism is not a new story, but in the wake of recovery, it’s an important one worth telling. Travel and tourism will put Americans back to work, help foster community and build strong infrastructure for the road ahead.
The need to build advocates and connect with elected officials, stakeholders and residents to demonstrate the importance of the travel and tourism industry needs to be our daily goal going forward. “
With many tourism organizations funded primarily by taxes and fees, we know that future funding remains in peril. By all accounts, next year’s tax collections will be the same or lower than what is being grappled with in budgets right now.
We may tire of saying the same thing repeatedly, but it will be an effective method of building your coalition of support. There will continue to be significant funding needs in our communities, so it is as important as ever to provide context around the need for continued support for tourism promotion and development.
There is a bright spot here…”
Read more in this guest post published on LinkedIn from Miles’ Senior VP Laura Libby.
