WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recent weeks, corporations have been vilified by policymakers and pundits for planning business trips in today’s down economy. However, early survey results released today by the American Gaming Association (AGA) indicate that the vast majority of America’s business travelers think such trips are crucial to the health of their employers.

“The suggestion that business meetings are simply a boondoggle is in vogue right now,” said Peter D. Hart, chairman of Peter D. Hart Research Associates, who teamed up with Vox Populi Communications, Inc., to develop the survey. “For the 62 percent of Americans who have attended an out-of-town meeting or convention for work, 87 percent say it is important to running a strong business.”

In addition, 87 percent of Americans think encouraging people to travel recreationally within the U.S. could improve the country’s economic landscape. Likewise, 67 percent say promoting tourism to the U.S. from Europe, Asia, South America and other parts of the globe also could help shore up the domestic economy.

These data on travel and tourism will be included in State of the States: The AGA Survey of Casino Entertainment, an annual survey sponsored by the AGA. Widely regarded as the most comprehensive resource of its kind, the survey features economic statistics and public opinion polling results on a variety of gaming issues. Now in its 11th year, the complete edition of State of the States is scheduled to be released in May.

“Without question, these are challenging times, but urging Americans to get back on the road can stimulate our national economy,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. “Commercial casinos can play a key role in the promotion of recreational and business travel throughout the country.”

In fact, 65 percent of Americans agree that the casino industry is important to overall travel and tourism in the U.S. Two-thirds (66 percent) say gaming facilities – many of which include state-of-the-art convention centers – are a vital part of the business travel market.

As Americans grapple with a severe economic recession, a majority (56 percent) considers casinos valuable community assets. More than three-quarters (76 percent) think casino patrons stimulate local economies because they also visit neighboring attractions. Similarly, 73 percent agree that casinos are important tax revenue sources, and that they help states and municipalities attract new businesses. Moreover 74 percent think casinos produce jobs and investments that cannot be shipped overseas.

Thanks to the recent diversification of the gaming industry, more than eight in 10 (83 percent) Americans think casinos attract all types of tourists to communities. In fact, 91 percent say nongaming amenities – such as luxury spas, high-profile entertainment and fine dining – are powerful draws to potential tourists.

The AGA is part of a national coalition organized by the U.S. Travel Association to promote the importance of business meeting and event travel to communities across the country.  This travel and tourism data was collected during a poll of American adults conducted by VP Communications, Inc. in conjunction with Peter D. Hart.  Please see the attached document for additional details on the new data. For more information on the full 2009 States of the States survey, please visit www.americangaming.org [2].

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The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.

State of the States: The AGA Survey of Casino Entertainment
2009 Data on Travel and Tourism: Early Topline Results

This travel and tourism data was collected during a poll of 804 American adults conducted by VP Communications, Inc. in conjunction with Peter D. Hart, chairman of Peter D. Hart Research Associates. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 3.5 percent. Numbers may not add up exactly to 100 due to rounding. For more information on the full 2009 States of the States survey, scheduled to be released in May 2009, please visit www.americangaming.org [2].

Have you ever attended a meeting or convention for work that took you out of town for at least one night?

  
And, based upon your experience, do you think meetings and conventions are… to running a strong business?

The U.S. travel industry is promoting tourism from Europe, Asia and South America as a way of helping this economy.  How much do you feel that promoting international tourism can help the economy in the United States – a great deal, quite a bit, just some, very little, or not at all?

Another element of the U.S. travel industry is to encourage Americans to vacation and travel within the United States as a way of helping the economy.  How much do you feel that promoting domestic tourism can help the economy in the United States—a great deal, quite a bit, just some, very little, or not at all?

“In all, how important do you feel the casino industry is in terms of the overall travel and tourism industry in the U.S.?  Would you say it is…?

Casinos are a vital part of the business travel market because they host a large number of meetings and conventions every year.

Let me read you two statements made about the casino industry.  Please tell me which of the following comes closest to your own personal opinion?

Casino destinations attract tourists, and many of these people also visit other major sites in the surrounding areas thereby helping the overall economy in the region.

Casinos produce jobs and investments here in the U.S. that cannot be outsourced to other countries.