MONTPELIER — Over 100 tourism and hospitality industry leaders gathered at the State House on April 11 to engage with legislators and raise awareness of the collective contributions of these industries to the Vermont economy. Tourism Economy Day, convened by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Ski Vermont, brought businesses together to advocate for a thriving Vermont visitor economy.
The Vermont visitor economy has a $3 billion annual economic impact, supports 35,000 jobs, and represents 11.5 percent of Vermont's workforce. Businesses, legislative leaders, and Administration officials collaborated for a day of advocacy that elevated the collective contributions of the visitor economy to Vermont.
“The Vermont Chamber has a proven track record of bringing businesses together with a shared purpose to work together to build a stronger Vermont economy,” said Amy Spear, Vice President of Tourism for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s event focused on advocating for strategic initiatives to bolster business success and contribute to the vitality and resiliency of our state: workforce development, economic recovery and resiliency, and workforce housing.”
“Outdoor recreation relies on sustaining a healthy and thriving environment and is vital to Vermont’s $1.9 billion outdoor recreation tourism economy,” said Ski Vermont President Molly Mahar. “Vermont’s ski areas understand the importance of sustainable stewardship for tourism and its economic benefit to their local communities and across the state. For decades they have worked to support and enhance the state’s capacity for outdoor recreation while protecting the environment and reducing carbon emissions. They maintain that focus so current and future generations can continue to enjoy all that Vermont has to offer.”
Business leaders centered their advocacy on three key pillars of opportunity: workforce development investments in training and education to meet industry demands, economic recovery and resiliency programs to address and anticipate economic injuries from disasters, and workforce housing solutions to meet future needs.
“By investing in education and workforce development, we can cultivate future leaders and ensure the sustainability of our vibrant tourism economy,” stated Hans van Wees, General Manager of Hotel Vermont and Co-Chair of the Vermont Lodging Association. “Our goal is to empower high school graduates, career changers, and current industry professionals through targeted programs that bridge the gap between education and practical experience.”
Additional business and policy leaders who testified included Charles Tino Rutanhira of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network and Emily Schriebl Scott of the Weston Theater Company.