I am thrilled to announce that the Maine Legislature has unanimously passed a Joint Resolution Recognizing May as Tourism Worker Recognition Month at the request of MTA.
It is critical that our members and everyone in the industry realize that they are appreciated. I want to say a personal “thank you” to each and every one of our members and your workers for the great contribution you make to our industry and our state. I also offer my sincere gratitude to the hard working staff at our Visitors’ Centers who are amazing ambassadors for our state.
I want to give a special thanks to Rep. Victoria Doudera (D-Camden) for sponsoring the Joint Resolution, and extend our great appreciation to all members of the Maine House of Representatives and Senate for their support.
The goal of the Joint Resolution is to encourage the public to reflect on the great contributions of our industry and its workers as well. Tourism generates over $9 billion in sales and over $600 million in taxes, contributes over $2.6 billion to Maine households, supports 110,000 jobs, and brings 37 million visitors to the state. We are a top economic driver of the Maine economy and provide not only good-paying jobs but careers.
We hope that through the passage of this Joint Resolution Maine residents, visitors, and government officials will remember how important tourism workers are to our state. We also have issued a press release so the media can help us spread the word about your crucial role in Maine’s economy. The text of the Joint Resolution follows.
Again, thank you for everything you do for our state.
JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MAY AS
TOURISM WORKER RECOGNITION MONTH
WHEREAS, tourism is one of Maine's largest industries, bringing in over 37 million visitors to the State, supporting one out of every 6 jobs and generating over $9 billion per year in tourism-related sales and over $610 million in taxes; and
WHEREAS, tourism incorporates every size of business, including many small, family-owned and multigenerational businesses; and
WHEREAS, these businesses provide a broad array of tourism services such as lodging, dining, camps and campgrounds, retail, amusements, guide and tour services, outdoor recreation and cultural and heritage attractions; and
WHEREAS, the 110,000 tourism workers in Maine are indispensable to the success of this industry and provide the dedicated and exemplary service and hospitality that make Maine the truly unique travel destination that it is; and
WHEREAS, Maine tourism workers deserve the greatest credit and recognition for the achievements and growth of this industry; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Legislature now assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to declare May 2019 as Tourism Worker Recognition Month to honor Maine's tourism workers for all they do for the promotion and economic success of the State.