Modern Time 7.03 and 7.04

Module 7.03: Tourist Time

Tourist Time

Did you know that there is a place where you can stand in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico at the same time? It is called Four Corners, and it is a popular place for tourists to visit. These boys are lying on a monument placed there that shows the exact place where the corners of each state meet.

Tourism in the United States

• Tourists are visitors to an area. They come to see the unique and interesting things an area might have. 

• Tourism is an industry that is an important part of the American economy and the economies of many states. It involves visitors from inside and outside of the country.

• What do you think tourists might bring with them when they visit a place?

  They bring money!

• The tourism industry depends on the money tourists spend while traveling.

Growing Economy

Tourism helps the economy grow. Visitors increase the demand for goods and services when they visit an area. To meet this demand, businesses offer more goods and services. This creates more jobs. Let's look at how tourism affects some states.

How does tourism affect South Carolina?

Tourism brings in sales taxes, which are used to offer community services and to help maintain roads, hospitals, and schools. Tourism helps create jobs. Workers then spend the money they earn in the community. Some visitors enjoy an area so much that they decide to move and make it their new home.

Tourism Effects

There are many things that can have good and bad effects on tourism, like weather. When the weather is beautiful, there may be more visitors in a state. When it is too cold, hot, or stormy, there may be a decrease in the number of tourists in a state. The changes in the number of tourists during seasons can affect the economy of a state. What other ways does tourism affect a state?

Tourism Effects

Tourism has an impact on the economy and the population of a state. The more tourists there are, the more money they spend. This means more people in the state have jobs. Then, they spend money on rent, groceries, and other activities. The cycle continues.

Alaska

Take a hike in the wilderness or a cruise to see an iceberg. You can go ziplining or try dogsledding! These are some of the popular activities for tourists in Alaska. Tourism creates thousands of jobs.

Kansas

Visit a museum or a zoo. Explore a stop along the Pony Express National Historic Trail. Tourists spend millions of dollars to visit places in Kansas. This money helps to maintain attractions and create jobs.

Texas

Tourists have to eat! They spend money at many food festivals and restaurants in Texas. They also come for the film and music celebrations. This creates jobs and helps the economy grow.

Massachusetts

Thousands of tourists visit this state each year. They take historical tours, visit museums, and participate in outdoor recreation. Fans visit to see professional sports teams play, and athletes visit to run in the famous Boston Marathon. Visitors spend money on hotels, gifts, food, and beverages.

Tourism Where You Are

Travel and tourism is estimated to support over 7.6 million jobs in the United States. This industry brought more than $1.5 trillion to the United States economy in 2015. That's a lot! What attracts tourists to your state? There may be historical forts and towns, theme parks, festivals, or physical features, like mountains. Or maybe your state has a unique cultural feature, like the 35-foot tall fork in Springfield, Missouri.

It's time to research tourism in your state. Use the State Tourism printable to guide your research. A good place to start would be your state's tourism office.

Lesson Summary

Tourism is an important industry in the United States. When tourists visit an area, they spend money. This creates jobs for people and gives them money to spend locally. All of this helps the economy grow and new businesses development. Tourism can also increase the population of a state. When a state is doing well, more people want to move there.

Open Ended

Why do tourists visit South Carolina and how does affect my state?

Multiple Choice

What might happen when businesses grow in a state as a result of tourism?

• Jobs are created.

• Jobs are eliminated.

• Workers make less money.

• Tourists spend less money.

Multiple Choice

How does tourism strengthen the economy?

• Animals are kept indoors.

• Children clean their rooms.

• People run for office.

• Tourists spend money.

Multiple Choice

When tourists visit an area, what do they raise demand for?

• Good weather

• Water levels

• Television service

• Goods and services

Multiple Choice

What do many tourists visit in Texas?

• Theme parks

• Boat cruises

• Film and music celebrations

• Road and tunnel construction

Multiple Choice

What can tourists do in Alaska?

• Go dogsledding

• Visit Pony Express National Historic Trail

• Swim at the beach

• Watch the Boston Marathon

Multiple Choice

What can tourists do in Kansas?

• Go dogsledding

• Visit Pony Express National Historic Trail

• Watch the Boston Marathon

• Swim at the beach

Multiple Choice

How do sales taxes collected from tourists help the community?

• Develop beachfront properties

• Help individuals build homes

• Support theme park construction

• Help maintain roads, hospitals, and schools

Multiple Choice

What can affect the number of tourists who visit a state?

• Agriculture

• Electronics

• Weather

• Television service

Multiple Choice

What is an effect of tourism in a state?

• Businesses hire less workers.

• People spend less money.

• Manufacturing in the state decreases.

• People move into the state to work.

Multiple Choice

What do tourists bring with them when they visit a state?

• Television service

• Money

• Good weather

• Goods and services

Module 7.04 National and World Economy

National and World Economy

Do you recognize these symbols? One is for Microsoft and one is for Apple. Once upon a time, these symbols did not exist! They are part of companies that American entrepreneurs help build.

Entrepreneurs in the Economy

The founders of Microsoft and Apple are entrepreneurs. They are people who started businesses and were willing to take risks to make money. Their businesses have been successful and have helped grow the American economy, creating thousands of jobs.

The founders of Microsoft and Apple are just a few of the thousands of entrepreneurs that have helped build the country’s economy and culture. 

Let’s look at how the personal computer has affected the American economy. 

Market

The founders of Microsoft and Apple saw an opening in the market. Most people did not have personal computers in the 1970s. They were very large and complicated to use.

Ease-of-use

These entrepreneurs developed an easier computer system to use. This made computers more accessible to people and increased sales in home computers.

Demand

With an increase in demand for computers, jobs were created to make more computers and create software. Businesses replaced certain tasks and tools with computers.

Development

With more people and businesses buying computers, more money was invested in improving these machines. This led to other electronic products, like MP3 players, smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Jobs

With an increase in the production of electronic goods, there was a rise in manufacturing and sales jobs. This gave people money to spend and grew the economy.

Cultural Shift

The personal computer changed our culture. Now, almost everyone either has or has access to computers and other electronic devices.

It’s All Connected

The economies of the state, country, and other countries are all connected. Let’s compare how these economies affect each other when they are strong or weak.

It’s All Connected

• Strong Economy

  The global economy is the overall economy of the world. When it is strong, it usually means that people have money to spend. The United States sells many goods and services to countries around the world. When American companies export goods and services, they are making money and employing people. When people are earning money, they can contribute to the state’s economy by buying goods and services. This helps make the local economy strong.

• Weak Economy

  However, when the global economy is weak, it usually means people have less money to spend. The United States will export fewer goods and services. American companies will need fewer employees because they are not making much money. That means some people lose their jobs and do not have money to contribute to the state economy. Local businesses have a difficult time offering goods and services. The local economy is weakened.

South Carolina

South Carolina is home to companies and universities that research clean fuel and power sources. Both General Electric and Clemson University have facilities that research wind energy.

Entrepreneurs in the United States

John Pemberton invented the syrup for Coca-Cola. Today, the Coca-Cola Company is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and sells soft drinks all over the world.

Walt Disney created the Walt Disney World theme park in Florida. His work increased tourism and brought entertainment to millions.

Steve Jobs was the co-founder of Apple, Inc. Apple is based in Cupertino, California, and sells products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac personal computer all over the world.

Entrepreneurs in the United States

Many entrepreneurs have influenced different states and their economies.

These are entrepreneurs who have helped shape their states and develop different industries through their businesses. These industries strengthened the states' economies.

However, state economies do not stand alone. They are connected to the U.S. economy and the world economy. How? People pay federal taxes to the United States when they work. Some states also require people to pay taxes on what they earn. The Unites States and states use the money to run the government and services for people. This helps the economy. People also use the money they earn to buy goods and services in states and all over the world. Let's look at other businesses that affect both the United States and state economies.

ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil is an oil industry company. It is based in Irving, Texas. ExxonMobil began selling kerosene, which is a fuel made from oil. Today, it supplies oil and gas to the United States and the world. Many states tax the sale of gas. This contributes to both the United States and state economies.

Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery is an ice cream company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It began in 1988 and has locations all over the United States and the world. Many states have sales tax on food. This contributes to both the United States and state economies.

MGM Studios

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, or MGM, Studios is based in Beverly Hills, California. It is a media company that makes movies and television programs. It was founded in 1924. MGM Studios distributes its movies and television shows all over the United States and the world.

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a technology and innovation company based in Bethesda, Maryland. It began in 1912 and has helped develop aircraft for the U.S. military. Today, Lockheed Martin develops robotic, space, and undersea technologies. It also develops security, defense, and energy systems. Its products directly affect the economies of both states and the nation.

Cummins Inc.

Cummins Inc. is a company that designs and builds engines. It is based in Columbus, Indiana, and was founded in 1919. Cummins Inc. sells its products all over the United States and the world.

Lesson Summary

Entrepreneurs are business people who take risks to make money. They play a big role in the development of the economies of the state and country. These economies are closely connected to the world’s economy. Businesses are often established in certain areas because of the unique conditions of a place. We can see this off the coast of Massachusetts, which is a great place for fishing.

Multiple Choice

When the economy is strong, what does it usually mean?

• The weather is cold and rainy.

• People have money to spend.

• People are out of work.

• Shops are closed all year.

Multiple Choice

Which kind of business developed on the mountains of Washington State?

• Historical museums

• Ski resorts

• Cruise ship tours

• Beach shops

Multiple Choice

Which industry developed in Minnesota because of its rich soil and access to water?

• Mining

• Fashion

• Agriculture

• Tourism

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an effect of a weak economy?

• People buy more goods

• Companies need fewer employees

• Companies hire more people

• People have money to spend

Multiple Choice

Lockheed Martin is a company that

• makes movies

• develops technology

• supplies oil and gas

• builds engines