National Travel and Tourism Week is underway and runs through May 7. The annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry will spotlight the critical role that travel will play in driving economic growth and building the path forward through the theme “Future of Travel.”

Many aspects of travel are on the rebound. For example, AAA Travel booking data shows that reservations for flights, rental cars, cruises and hotels for Memorial Day are up 122% over last year.

This year’s theme elevates how the travel industry can restore the workforce, help communities recover, foster sustainability, usher in new innovations and reconnect travelers in the U.S. and around the world.

AAA Western and Central New York is celebrating travel’s promising future by highlighting future group travel opportunities, educational travel sessions, and careers in travel with AAA – more details can be found at www.AAA.com.

Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 39th annual NTTW (May 1-7) arrives as the industry looks ahead to future growth and success following the challenges of the past two years.

“AAA Western and Central New York is thrilled to see travel rebound as we work to strengthen the tourism industry and economy,” said Carol DiOrio, Vice President of Travel at AAA Western and Central New York. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are spotlighting how travel benefits our workforce, supports global economies, and reconnects Americans to each other and the world.”

“NTTW has special significance this year as the travel industry looks ahead to a bright future,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “This NTTW is an opportunity to recognize the collective strength of the U.S. travel industry and how we are rebuilding to be more dynamic, innovative, sustainable and inclusive in the months and years to come.

“Before the pandemic, travel generated $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 17 million American jobs and delivered a $51 billion trade surplus to the U.S.- evidence of the outsized role the industry will play in driving America’s recovery and future economic growth,” added Dow.

For more information on AAA Travel, simply go to www.AAA.com/Travel. Visit www.ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.