Friday, December 6, 2024
On Nov. 25, the U.S. Journey Affiliation, together with Rep. Diana Harshbarger, the Pigeon Forge Tourism Division, the Tennessee Division of Tourism Growth and native officers, hosted a “Journey Works for America” Energy Hour ” on the LeConte Heart in Pigeon Forge. The occasion centered on methods to speed up the area's restoration following the devastation brought on by Hurricane Helene.
“It’s vital that we proceed to work with Congresswoman Harshbarger, the Pigeon Forge Tourism Division, the Tennessee Division of Tourism Growth, and native enterprise leaders to offer much-needed reduction to the area and all these affected by the devastating storms,” stated Tori Emerson Barnes, government vp of coverage and public affairs at US Journey. “We recognize the efforts of Congresswoman Harshbarger and native leaders to push for speedy catastrophe reduction, making certain Pigeon Forge can proceed to welcome guests and increase journey to the world.”
“It’s a privilege to work alongside the U.S. Journey Affiliation, native officers and enterprise leaders to handle the challenges dealing with East Tennessee following Hurricane Helene,” he stated Congressman Harshbarger. “The tourism trade is a cornerstone of our native financial system, supporting native companies and producing hundreds of jobs in Pigeon Forge. “We should proceed to strengthen catastrophe reduction, entice guests, and guarantee our communities not solely recuperate however thrive for years to return.”
“Tourism is the guts of Pigeon Forge and we’re extremely grateful for Congresswoman Harshbarger's management and US Journey's help in serving to our neighborhood and neighbors recuperate from Hurricane Helene,” he stated Leon Downey, government director of the Pigeon Forge Tourism Division. “The congresswoman's advocacy for catastrophe reduction and US Journey's efforts, from urging swift congressional motion on catastrophe funding to increasing the H-2B visa program, are making a tangible distinction. “Their work ensures that the journey trade in Sevier County stays sturdy, supporting numerous households and companies that rely upon its success.”
“Journey is the lifeblood of Pigeon Forge and a key driver of Tennessee's financial system,” he stated Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Division of Tourism Growth. “We’re deeply grateful to our companions on the US Journey Affiliation and Tennessee elected leaders for his or her sturdy help. Whether or not advocating for catastrophe reduction for these affected by Hurricane Helene or advocating for the growth of the H-2B visa program, your efforts are making an actual distinction. “These initiatives are crucial to the continued energy of our journey trade and the communities it helps.”
In 2022, Tennessee's journey trade generated $28.9 billion in income, supporting almost 200,000 jobs statewide. Nationally, the journey sector contributed $2.eight trillion to the financial system in 2023 and offered employment to 15 million staff within the U.S. The journey trade is a cornerstone of financial development, driving success in a number of sectors by connecting folks, corporations and locations.
Energy Hour discussions addressed key subjects very important to the journey sector, together with the influence of Hurricane Helene on regional communities, the federal authorities's function in restoration efforts, and methods to enhance financial development and world competitiveness. Different factors mentioned included enhancing customer visa processing, enhancing safety and decreasing delays, streamlining airport customs procedures, investing in cutting-edge know-how for airport screening, and enhancing journey infrastructure to advertise larger mobility. .
