AAA Says 'See America's Byways' and Keep Economy Rolling During National Tourism Week

    ORLANDO, Fla.--May 9, 2003--AAA encourages its members and other travelers to "See America's Byways" and get in touch with America and support the economy during National Tourism Week from May 10-18.
    "America's scenic byways take travelers to myriad cultural, historic, and environmental destinations, and National Tourism Week is the perfect time to see where your nearest scenic byway can take you," said Sandra Hughes, vice president of AAA Travel.
    "Since 1990, AAA has marked hundreds of scenic routes on its maps and TripTik(R) routings to help travelers find interesting destinations on and off the beaten path," Hughes said. "The National Scenic Byways Program helps give some of these special American places the recognition they deserve."
    AAA is a founding partner in the Federal Highway Administration's National Scenic Byways Program, which has designated 95 roads in 39 states as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. In addition, state governments have designated their own scenic byways.
    "Exploring these roads and the features along them is just one of the many ways that people can experience National Tourism Week," said Hughes. "Even if people don't leave town, a trip to a museum, park or restaurant can help them recognize the significant contribution travel and tourism make to this country's economic and cultural life."
    Nationally, the travel and tourism industry is one of the country's largest service exports, providing an $8.6 billion balance of trade surplus. It also employs 18 million people and generates $537 billion in total travel expenses as the nation's third largest retail service industry.
    "AAA employees are pleased to be part of the travel and tourism industry - a business that contributes so much to the economic success of our cities, states and the nation," said Hughes.
    As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully-tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

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