In addition, over 41,000 Nebraska jobs are now attributable to travel spending. All of this and more has resulted in the 13th consecutive year of growth for the Nebraska tourism industry. And just in case you think we're desolate without any beaches and mountains, two of the leading states of origin for nonresident tourists visiting Nebraska are California and Colorado, and shopping, outdoor recreation, visiting historical places, and visiting museums are all activities tourists now rank ahead of going to the beach. Tourism is indeed a major component of Nebraska's economy, and on October 21st, stakeholders in Nebraska's tourism industry, from operators of specific attractions to hotel and restaurant owners, gathered in Lincoln to celebrate the success of the past several years and to plan for continued growth in the future. Looking ahead, the tourism horizon in Nebraska is very promising.
New attractions continue to be developed and built.
In addition to the Kearney Archway, the Golden Spike in North Platte is getting underway, and the Railroad Town at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island has just dedicated a new flour mill. In addition, new lodging opportunities and new restaurants are appearing everywhere from Chadron to Columbus that will only boost our local economies. As an industry, tourism will be the largest private employer in the U.S. by the year 2000. In terms of real money, travel sales are growing faster than the economy as a whole. The newly developed attractions in Nebraska, coupled with continued improvements of those already in existence, will positively impact tourism, visitation, and spending, and ultimately Nebraska's overall economy.