(Houston, Texas August 28, 2015) - Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) praised the job growth of the Texas hotel industry today on a Heart of the House hotel tour of the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake. The tour of the 242-room hotel property emphasized the important role the hotel industry plays in supporting jobs and economic growth in the Houston area, as well as the various career opportunities within the hotel industry.

The hotel tour was led by the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake General Manager Jeffrey Hassan. The Heart of the House hotel tour provided Congressman Babin and his staff an opportunity to walk through the property, meet with employees and get a deeper understanding of the impact the hotel industry has on the local economy.

"As a small business owner, I am committed to promoting pro-growth policies that provide businesses in Texas and across the country with the certainty they need to create jobs and grow our local economies," said Congressman Babin. "The Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake, located conveniently near Space Center Houston, supports our area with good jobs and new economic opportunities, while promoting travel and tourism in the Nassau Bay area. It was a pleasure to meet with hotel employees and learn more about the important opportunities the hotel industry has to offer in our community."

Texas hotels are an important segment of the state economy with 6.6 percent of all jobs in the state directly or indirectly related to the lodging industry. Texas generates $3.9 billion in tax revenue for the state and local governments. Many of Texas's properties are small businesses, a segment of the economy responsible for 46 percent of jobs in the state. This industry reaches beyond simply providing guests with comfortable room or convenient meeting spaces they are interlinked with many other industries such as, transportation, restaurants, agriculture, manufacturing, and recreation, supporting $19.6 billion in total sales throughout the state. 

"Congressman Babin understands the importance of supporting local businesses and knows how essential the hotel industry is to Texas's jobs and economy," said General Manager Jeffrey Hassan. "We appreciate all of his efforts to help promote jobs, economic growth and development so that we hotels like ours can continue to succeed."

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry, works with state associations to engage with members of Congress on the Heart of the House hotel tours, which provide an in-depth look at the career opportunities available as well as the economic impact the lodging industry has on the local, state and national economies.