PORTLAND, Ore. -- It's National Travel and Tourism Week. In Portland and across the country events are being held to showcase the economic importance of jobs within the tourism industry.
In Oregon rolling out the red carpet for visitors is a full time job for thousands of people. It's also creating a multi-billion dollar industry.
During a noon hour rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square Tuesday, 150 workers and supporters in the travel and tourism industry joined together to celebrate why hospitality is an important part of the state's economy. Tourism sustains 28.900 jobs. It brings in $3.5 billion visitor spending and generates $141 million in tax revenue.
"Every day it's something different," said Pedro Melendez.
For 18 years he's been in the hospitality industry. For the past 13, Melendez has been the Director of Engineering for the DoubleTree Hotel at Lloyd Center. His job is to make sure every guest is comfortable.
"AC in the rooms, heating system, hot water, TV everything," said Melendez. This job has supported his family and put his two children through college. This week will be a busy one for Melendez and his crew of ten.
The DoubleTree is the headquarters for a major convention in town.
"We have 500 people here they're all certified Lyengar yoga teachers. Twenty percent are from foreign countries," said Julie Lawrence, Chair of the convention.
More guests mean more work for the entire hotel staff. It means more work for the entire hotel staff.
"1,400 rooms to be cleaned by housekeepers, they'll eat in our restaurants, they'll eat in restaurants in the neighborhood," said Stephanie Cameron, Director of Marketing for DoubleTree Hotel at Lloyd Center.
And they'll shop, all adding to the $170 million spent yearly on arts, entertainment and recreation .
And a recently-passed travel promotion act will provide more funds to promote the United States worldwide. Jim Miller, CEO for Travel Portland believes it will also help sell Oregon.
"We'll be able to leverage those public and private funds to drive more international visitors to the united states which has been dropping off."
Efforts are also under way to elevate the status and stature of those working in tourism. OSU is getting ready to bring hospitality to the classroom according to Todd Davidson, CEO, Oregon Lodging Association.
"Cornell's school of hospitality hotel administration is going to be starting a professional development curriculum over at the cascade campus starting this summer," said Davidson.
Currently Oregon ranks 29 out of 50 in how much the state spends to promote tourism. It's funded by a one percent lodging tax.
