The US Labor Department’s just-released jobs report found the travel industry added 14,900 jobs in April.
It also expanded employment payrolls by 59,300 in the first four months of 2011, accounting for eight percent of all new jobs created so far this year.
Jobs in the travel industry have grown 38 percent faster than in the rest of the economy, according to the government.
"The travel industry is a major job creator for the US economy," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the US Travel Association. "Travel has added more jobs than mining, construction, utilities, information and finance combined in 2011."
US Travel later this month will release a comprehensive report with recommendations to add 1.3 million jobs through a series of visa policy recommendations to help the United States achieve its goal of becoming more competitive in the global travel market.
By David Wilkening
