LoginAcross the nation, more Americans have planned vacations that allow them to stay within the country's borders, leading to an increase in the number of employees the travel and hospitality industry has hired.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, the travel sector accounted for 15 percent of the nation's overall employment gains in December, adding 11,000 new positions toward the end of the year. David Huether, senior vice president for economics and research at the U.S. Travel Association, said in a news release that the travel industry created 119,000 jobs in 2013, contributing to the sector's postrecession growth.
"As of December 2013, the travel industry has made up 99 percent of the jobs lost during the Great Recession, compared to 86 percent of the rest of the economy, and is just 5,000 short of its prerecession level of employment."
During the most recent State of the Union address, President Barack Obama spoke of the importance of creating job opportunities for American citizens, something president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association Roger Dow believes the travel industry has a track record of providing.
"President Obama spoke of creating jobs that help people reach the middle class, and the travel industry's track record in doing just that is among the best," Dow said.