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U.S. Travel Industry Lauds Congress for Action That Improves
Security
and Sends Welcoming Message to International Visitors
.
WASHINGTON, DC (December 19, 2007) � Travel industry officials
today praised congressional leaders for passing legislation that improves
and strengthens U.S. visa and entry policies to increase efficiency and
enhance security in the travel process.
The travel industry leaders noted broad congressional support for the travel-related provisions in the 2008 Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, and expressed gratitude for the leadership of Senators Robert Byrd (D-WV), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Harry Reid (D-NV), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Ted Stevens (R-AK), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mel Martinez (R-FL), and Representatives David Obey (D-WI), Jerry Lewis (R-CA), David Price (D-NC), Harold Rogers (R-KY), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Sam Farr (D-CA).for ensuring the provisions were included. The bill now awaits President Bush�s signature. �These provisions are a holiday gift to our friends around the world and important first steps in helping to reverse the 17 percent decline in overseas travel to the U.S. since 9/11,� said Roger Dow, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Travel Industry Association. �They demonstrate that Congress increasingly understands the importance of attracting international visitors to our country.� Jonathan M. Tisch, Chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Loews Hotels, added: �Congress has embraced the importance of improving the travel process for visitors to the U.S., understanding that in doing so, we can add billions of dollars in travel spending to America�s economy, create hundreds of thousands of jobs to the American workforce, and as important, help improve our reputation as a nation around the world.� The travel system reform provisions included in the sections of the bill that fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State include:
�Legislation to improve our visa and entry processes is a critical step toward increasing international visitation, but now it is critical that we pass the Travel Promotion Act to let those visitors know they are invited to come,� Dow said. �Travel is too important for us economically and diplomatically for us to not do everything we can to send a welcoming message around the world.� The Travel Industry Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. TIA is proud to be a partner in travel with American Express. For more information, visit www.tia.org. The Travel Business Roundtable (TBR), a strategic partner to the Travel Industry Association, is a CEO-based organization representing all sectors of the travel and tourism industry. TBR�s mission is to educate public officials and policymakers about the important social and economic contributions of the travel and tourism industry. For more information, visit www.tbr.org. |
Contact:
Cathy Keefe
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