Destination Dayton Celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week

Destination Dayton^® is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating the U.S. Travel Association’s National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) this week (May 3–9, 2026). This annual tradition, established in 1983, spotlights the travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, strengthening communities and enhancing quality of life across the United States. This year's national theme, "Postmarked: Essential," reinforces the message that travel is fundamental to America's economy, workforce and way of life.

Nationally, travel remains one of America’s most powerful economic engines, supporting 15 million jobs and generating $2.9 trillion in economic output annually. Travel also fuels businesses across every sector of the economy, from restaurants and retail to manufacturing, technology and agriculture.

Tourism is a powerful economic driver in Dayton and Montgomery County. Based on data for Montgomery County released in June 2024 (the most current available), direct visitor spending of $1.6 billion generated tourism's total economic impact of $2.6 billion, including 22,752 total jobs (including full-time and part-time jobs) with associated labor income of $709.2 million in 2023. The economic impacts attributable to tourism generated significant fiscal (tax) impacts as they cycled through Montgomery County's economy. Overall, tourism generated $342.1 million in Montgomery County tax revenues in 2023, resulting in $761 per household in tax burden relief. (Source: Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company).

Please select this link to download the complete press release.