WASHINGTON ““ Travel employment has reached a historic high of 8 million jobs, according to the May jobs data released by the U.S. Department of Labor. The travel industry added 19,200 jobs in May, the largest monthly increase since October of last year.

Travel employment has risen steadily for the past eight months. Travel industries related to the growth include food and drink services, accommodation, air transportation, retain and entertainment/recreation.

After losing half a million jobs during the Great Recession, the travel industry has bounced back with the addition of 749,000 jobs. This growth has outpaced job creation in the rest of the economy by 49 percent.

“Travel employment is vital, employing one in nine Americans,” said David Huether, senior vice president for research and economics at the U.S. Travel Association. “And the best news is, there’s a way to continue that trend. Enacting policies such as the JOLT Act and renewing Brand USA, the public-private partnership that markets the United States as a tourism destination, would increase international visitors to the U.S. and create even more quality jobs.”

For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.