Sunshine Matters

Recently, the U.S. Travel Association shared the results of a new report measuring the impact and value of travel jobs.  Fast Forward: Travel Creates Opportunities and Launches Careers details our industry’s benefit to the American workforce using analysis of more than three decades of employment data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A first-of-its-kind study, Fast Forward concludes that travel not only offers an early foothold on the job ladder, but also provides valuable skills that develop into rewarding careers.  Results showed that workers whose first jobs are in travel ultimately earn higher wages, have greater access to educational opportunities and enjoy more successful career progression.  Check out this link to see a short video of the report’s key findings.  Here are some of the highlights:

• 1 in 8 American private sector jobs are supported by travel
• 19% of American workers started their careers in the travel industry
• 48 states and Washington D.C. have travel as a top 10 employer
• 2 in 5 American workers whose first job was in travel are now earning more than $100,000 per year
• One-third of American workers who started in travel have a bachelor’s degree

As the Sunshine State’s No. 1 industry, tourism was responsible for welcoming 87.3 million visitors in 2011 who spent $67.3 billion and generated 23 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue.  Over 1 million Florida residents are employed in the hospitality industry and that number has been growing for 31 straight months. Florida tourism is the state’s leading provider of good jobs that lay the foundation for excellent careers.  Florida hospitality employees are also a competitive advantage for the Florida tourism industry.  Please join me in thanking the million plus Floridians who serve our guests and provide exceptional experiences that keep them coming back to the Sunshine State year after year.