Dear Travel Colleague:

I am pleased to introduce to you a first-of-its-kind, interactive website created by the Travel Industry Association that details the economic power of travel. www.PowerofTravel.org presents all of the available economic impact data on travel in an easy-to-navigate format that enables the user to see the benefits of travel from the international level down to individual congressional districts.

It is our responsibility to help America's leaders understand that travel is a vital economic engine that powers job creation and growth. Our industry is one of America's largest exports and is one of the largest employers in every state and congressional district--it is among the top 10 industries in 49 of the 50 United States. Travel and related services account for one out of every eight non-farm U.S. jobs, $1.6 trillion in economic activity or nearly three percent of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

You can help us get the word out by reviewing www.PowerofTravel.org and using it as a convenient and easily-accessible resource when communicating about our industry.

Roger Dow
President & CEO
Travel Industry Association