In my home state of New Mexico, from the Carlsbad Caverns and the White Sands National Monument to Chimo and the arts communities and ski slopes in Santa Fe and Taos, many New Mexicans rely on the travel and tourism industry for their livelihood. Of course, New Mexico is by no means alone. This makes the tourism industry the second largest employer in the nation. That's why this Administration has developed a coordinated, inter-agency effort to promote travel and tourism. From the White House Conference in 1995 to the work of various Cabinet agencies, the Clinton Administration has made your industry a top priority.
Tourism is America's largest business service export.
And, as freedom, democracy, open markets and new-found prosperity takes root in more and more nations the tourism industry will only continue to thrive and grow. But, for that to happen, America must continue to remain engaged and active on the international scene. We can't be embracing tourists from other lands at the same time that we are shunning our international responsibilities and turning away from the world. The fact is, when the voices of those who call for America to retreat from the world or build walls around our nations are in the ascendancy, there are few industries that are at greater risk than the travel and tourism industry. For you, international cooperation and international engagement is not only good for America, but it's good for business.