Moving Travel Forward, Moves America Forward
This National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), there is more reason than ever to celebrate the collective strength and promising future of the U.S. travel and tourism industry. And, this year during this annual celebration, it's important to spotlight the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward.
May 7th through the 13th will mark the 40th anniversary of NTTW. This year we celebrate how integral travel is to every industry and everything we do, especially in a popular travel destination like the Southport and Oak Island areas. Our recovery is the nation's recovery, and travel is essential to a future of growth and innovation.
"The travel industry fuels every industry -- our industry's success is the nation's success," said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. "This week is a prime opportunity to elevate the message that travel is essential to moving America's economy forward."
The Catalyst
Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.6 trillion economic output in 2022 and supported 15 million jobs, fueling communities, small businesses, and working families across the country.
Travel spending also generated nearly $160 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022 -- revenue that helped fund critical public services while saving each U.S. household an average of $1,270 in taxes.
Local Impacts
Per the "Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2021" study prepared by for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association, the Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority reports that in Brunswick County, domestic and international visitors to and within the county spent $975.11 million in 2021, an increase of 33.4% from 2020.
2021 Brunswick County Tourism Impacts
- The travel and tourism industry directly employed more than 4,900 people in Brunswick County
- Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Brunswick County was $191.9 million
- About $45.9 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses
Our Role in Moving Travel and Tourism Forward
That's why here in the Southport-Oak Island area, and all across America, we are using NTTW to recognize the contributions of the U.S. travel industry and how we will grow a more dynamic, innovative, sustainable and inclusive future. While the pandemic set us all back, we now have an opportunity to reimagine the industry to be greater than ever before.
Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is participating in NTTW by sharing information on the #TravelForward movement. We'll also attend the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce's National Travel & Tourism Week Ice Cream Social, and will continue to support its efforts with the Tourism Counts annual marketing campaign. In addition, as a proud member of the Vacation Rental Management Association, we remain committed to elevating the industry by raising the bar for internal and customer-facing operations.
From the NC Maritime Museum to the Oak Island Lighthouse, the Southport-Oak Island area's travel and tourism industry contributes so much to the local economy and the spirit of our small communities. From all of us at Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®, we are excited for all of the promising things ahead for the area and the U.S. travel industry.
Stronger Together
Help celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week by booking your next Southport-Oak Island getaway. Whether you're looking forward to an annual summer vacation trip or you're a snowbird looking to get out of the mountains in the winter, Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is here to provide you with the best of Brunswick County, North Carolina rentals. Find your next short term rental on our website, or give us a call at (800) 486-5441.