Travel Works for America Illuminates Charlotte with Monumental Showcase of Travel’s Nationwide Impact: U.S. Travel Association

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

On May 29-30, the “Travel Works for America” roadshow, an initiative by the U.S. Travel Association, made its way to Charlotte. This tour emphasizes the essential role of travel in bolstering both North Carolina’s and the national economy. It demonstrates how travel significantly contributes to various industries and communities across the United States.

The event was prominently featured at the Charlotte Convention Center on Thursday and included speeches from notable figures such as U.S. Senator Ted Budd from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson.

“The travel industry is a powerful driver of the U.S. economy, and its impact fuels the growth of cities such as Charlotte and destinations across the nation,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “U.S. Travel thanks Senator Budd, Mayor Pro Tem Anderson, and the Charlotte community for partnering with us to spotlight the value of travel in North Carolina.”

“Thank you to the U.S. Travel Association for bringing their road show to North Carolina,” said U.S. Senator Ted Budd. “Our state brought in record visitor spending in recent years, and tourism supports thousands of good-paying jobs. The Old North State has so much to offer. North Carolina boasts a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant communities that attract visitors from around the world. I believe that through collaboration, we can harness the potential of our unique destinations and vibrant tourism economy, so we can ensure that our state and our country remain a premier travel and tourism destination.”

Prominent leaders also shared insights on the positive influence of travel on Charlotte and North Carolina. Speakers included Steve Bagwell, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority; Steve Neuman, Vice President of Global Government Affairs at American Airlines; Pete Jung, Chief Marketing Officer at NASCAR; Richard G. Mathieu, President of Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Campus; Scott Peacock from Visit North Carolina; and Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, along with Tori Barnes, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy, both from the U.S. Travel Association.

“In Charlotte, hospitality is more than just an industry; it’s a way of life that deeply influences how we live, work, and play. So it was an honor to host the U.S. Travel Association’s Travel Works for America Roadshow, which underscored the essential role of the travel industry in our local community and across North Carolina,” said Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority CEO Steve Bagwell. “It was a great opportunity to highlight the halo effect of tourism and how it serves as the front door for economic development in the region.”

The Charlotte visit featured a tour of the Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame, a luncheon with local hospitality and business leaders at the JW Marriott hotel, and a visit to the American Airlines’ hub control operations at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The roadshow was inaugurated in Charlotte with a Wednesday evening event at the newly opened Sullenberger Aviation Museum.

In terms of economic impact, travel spending in 2023 reached $2.8 trillion, providing employment for more than 15 million Americans, including nearly 138,000 in Charlotte alone. In North Carolina, travel expenditures by domestic and international visitors amounted to $35.6 billion last year, supporting over 227,000 jobs across all 100 counties of the state.

Previous destinations of the “Travel Works for America” roadshow include the Washington, DC area, Savannah, Georgia, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Detroit, Michigan, with upcoming stops planned for Atlanta and Arkansas.

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