Each May, tourism offices across the country celebrate the contributions of the U.S. travel industry during National Travel and Tourism Week (May 2-8, 2021). This past year, tourism has been decimated by the global pandemic, so now, more than ever, it is important to recognize the power of the travel industry, an industry that is vital to the economic recovery of the Northern Virginia region.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel and tourism industry was a significant contributor to the U.S. economy and supported millions of hard-working Americans of all backgrounds. The impact of the pandemic on this industry has been devastating: more jobs lost than any other industry, the largest number of small business closures, and the greatest drops in tax revenue as a result of these losses. According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel spending is down nearly $500 billion, costing the U.S. economy $1.1 trillion – 10 times the economic impact of 9/11.
More than a decade ago, the five destinations within Northern Virginia united to create the Northern Virginia Tourism Partnership (NVTP). This region, which includes Alexandria, as well as Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties, accounts for approximately 41 percent of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s overall tourism economy. Members of the NVTP joined forces to strengthen their community’s economic position and leverage the power of regional collaboration.
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