Todd Davidson, Travel Oregon’s CEO, joined travel industry pioneers from across the country, to talk about the priorities of the travel and tourism industry in the United States at the White House. Oregon’s CEO was requested to advise senior White House and Administration officials on how the ease of international travel will have a positive impact on businesses, states and regions.
Davidson said, “International travel is incredibly important to Oregon’s economy, as well as the nation’s economy. With Oregon’s world-class culinary scene, abundant outdoor experiences, and tax-free shopping, we’re attracting more and more international travelers every year. We know that international visitors tend to stay longer and spend more money, making them a key market contributing to the overall economic impact tourism has on the state. In 2013, tourism injected $9.6 billion to the Oregon economy and directly employed nearly 94,000 Oregonians. To build on this success, we are urging policymakers to support critical proposals to boost travel, such as the JOLT Act, which would increase international spending in the United States and Oregon and create more jobs.”
Administration officials updated on the economy and discussed how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other Agencies work to ease and support America’s travel and tourism industry while protecting borders as well. Moreover, the briefing also included a discussion on ways to improve travelers’ experiences by modernizing airports and other points of entry. Industry leaders also led panels on infrastructure development and travel promotion.
International tourism is an essential part of the nation’s economy. Inbound international travel to the U.S. is one of the fastest mounting exports in the country, according to the Commerce Department.
According to the Travel Oregon’s most recent VisaVue® Travel report, international spending in Oregon increased 6.2% in 2013, with China and Brazil continuing to show double-digit growth. At present Oregon’s top international markets according to visitation numbers are Canada, Japan, the U.K., China, Germany, Australia, Scandinavia, South Korea, Mexico, France, Brazil, India, Benelux and Italy.
dba Travel Oregon, the Oregon Tourism Commission, works to improve visitors’ experience by providing information, resources and trip planning tools that inspire travel and constantly convey the exceptional quality of Oregon. The commission also aims to enhance Oregonians’ quality of life by strengthening economic impacts of the state’s tourism industry that employs nearly 94,000 Oregonians.
