Extra attention was recently given to those with Las Vegas hospitality jobs.

People who work in the Las Vegas hospitality and tourism industry gathered together this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center to encourage Americans to travel more and help local economies that depend on visitors. The gathering also served as a reminder that several people’s jobs depend on travel.

According to an article by the San Jose Mercury News, the rally was part of a national campaign organized by the U.S. Travel Association and was aimed at places like Beaumont, Texas; New York; Cincinnati; Phoenix and Orlando, Fla.

A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press found that less Americans are planning to travel this summer, while a third of Americans said they already canceled at least one trip this year because of financial concerns. The poll found that 42 percent of Americans are planning to take a leisure trip this summer, down from 49 percent in May 2005.

Those who earn less money are planning to travel less. More than two-thirds of those who make $100,000 or more are planning to take some type of leisure trip this summer, compared to the 48 percent of those who earn between $50,000 and $100,000 and only one-third of those who earn less than $50,000.

Of those who are planning a trip, 12 percent plan to stay in their home states, 67 percent plan to go to another state and 19 percent are planning to travel outside the country. The poll also found that 20 percent of those planning a trip this summer will stay closer to home because of economic worries, while 23 percent will save money by staying with friends or family instead of at a hotel.