BILL NUMBER: SCR 45	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Benoit

                        MAY 7, 2009

   Relative to United States Travel Rally Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 45, as introduced, Benoit. United States Travel Rally Day.
   This measure would recognize May 12, 2009, as United States Travel
Rally Day and call upon Californians to observe this day by rallying
to demonstrate the importance of travel and tourism to the economy.

   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The United States Senate and House of Representatives
designated the week beginning on the second Saturday of May of each
year, beginning in 1984, as "National Travel and Tourism Week," and
elected officials are invited to issue proclamations to raise
awareness of the value of travel to the welfare of the nation; and
   WHEREAS, Travel and tourism play a critical role in the nation's
economy as one of the largest industries in the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Travel is among one of the top 10 industries in 49 of the
states in terms of employment, and one of every eight jobs in the
United States is created directly or indirectly by travel and
tourism; and
   WHEREAS, Domestic and international visitors spent $97.6 billion
in California destinations in 2008; and
   WHEREAS, The nearly $100 billion in spending supported 924,000
jobs and accounted for combined earnings of $30.6 billion; and
   WHEREAS, Travel spending also generated $2.2 billion in local
taxes and $3.6 billion in state taxes in 2008; and
   WHEREAS, There were 338 million domestic visitors who traveled to
and through California in 2008, of which 86 percent were California
residents; and
   WHEREAS, Approximately 13.4 million international visitors
traveled to California in 2008; and
   WHEREAS, The recession has severely impacted the travel and
tourism industry with the recent downturn, beginning in the closing
months of 2008, interrupting 74 consecutive months of positive
growth; and
   WHEREAS, Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and
services by international visitors in the United States decreased by
more than 13 percent in February 2009 compared to February 2008,
representing a $10.1 billion loss; and
   WHEREAS, Cancellations of business travel, meetings, events, and
conventions from just 20 percent of the lodging industry exceeded
$220 million nationally during January and February 2009; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes May 12, 2009, as
United States Travel Rally Day, and calls upon all Californians to
observe this day by participating in appropriate rallies and other
activities to raise awareness of the vital role of travel and tourism
to Californians and the state's economy; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.