Education groups are criticizing Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan for moving back the start of the state's school year until after Labor Day, but the U.S. Travel Association says the decision will be a big boost for the tourism industry.

Hogan announced Wednesday he would order the state's school districts not to begin the school year until after Labor Day, starting in 2017. The same order would require schools to close by June 15. School districts can request waivers to open earlier or push back the closing date.

"Starting Maryland public schools after Labor Day is not just a family issue—it's an economic and public safety issue that draws clear, strong, bipartisan support among an overwhelming majority of Marylanders," Hogan said in a statement.

Hogan's decision has come under fire by teachers' unions and some county school boards that say the decision when to begin and end the school year is best left to local school districts. They also said the governor's order doesn't allow a lot of room for make-up time for days lost to snow and other emergencies.

However, the U.S. Travel Association countered in a blog post on its website that Hogan's decision actually recognizes the vital economic role tourism plays in Maryland. The group pointed to a study that found moving back the start of the school year would generate an additional $74 million in economic activity in the state, given families can now make travel plans for the Labor Day weekend.

"Extending summer by another week does not necessarily mean shortening the school calendar (Gov. Hogan plans to make those days up later in the year)—and it may even provide more time for valuable educational opportunities outside the classroom," said Jonathan Grella, executive vice president of public affairs for U.S. Travel.

"A 2013 U.S. Travel Association study found that 80 percent of kids who vacationed with their families—no matter where or for how long—were significantly more engaged at school," he added. "These kids were then more likely to earn more money as adults and attain higher education."

Virginia has a similar start date for its school year resulting from the "Kings Dominion law"—a 1986 law named after the Virginia amusement park that was its biggest proponent. http://bit.ly/2bF28fu

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