As a result of these meetings, Senate leaders, including many members of the Senate Finance Committee, expressed interest in a limited tax-credit for either personal or business travel.

�Rather than seek a bailout, the best way to help the travel and tourism industry and the eighteen million people it employs is to get people traveling,� said Jonathan Tisch, Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels and Chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable.  �To that end, we are offering policymakers an array of options to address three key areas of concern: the well being of our workers who have lost or will lose their jobs, ways to encourage the resumption of travel, and the creation of greater liquidity for employers and employees.�

The industry, which contributed nearly $100 billion in tax revenues last year, has been severely and directly impacted by the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the ongoing war on terrorism.

If the industry doesn�t begin to regain some momentum, it is projected that more than one million people across America could lose their jobs in the travel and tourism industry. Unlike other industries, travel and tourism is in all 435 congressional districts and all 50 states.

In addition to a tax-credit, as a result of the intense lobbying efforts by TBR, support grew for the restoration of business meal and entertainment deduction to 100 percent as well as the restoration of spousal travel to 100 percent.  Both measures would encourage people to start traveling, stimulating economic activity.

Even in the wake of increased security at airports, people are still reluctant to travel. In a poll recently released by TBR, one in five of those surveyed said they would discourage close relatives or friends from traveling during the holidays. The government needs to send a strong signal that one important way for our country to recover - both economically and psychologically - is to travel.

After meeting with over a dozen United States Senators, the Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL), and Karl Rove, Senior Advisor to the President, the need to focus on the travel and tourism industry gained considerable momentum. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) have introduced a bill allowing a $500 tax credit for individuals and up to $1000 for couples filing joint returns for any kind of travel related expenses from the time legislation is passed through December 31,2001.
Senator John Breaux (D-LA) also endorsed the notion of a restoring the business meal and entertainment deduction to 100 percent from the current status that allows up to 50 percent.

And Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Bob Graham (D-FL) are drafting legislation that would both help the industry and the nation�s economy at the same time. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chairman of the Senate�s Commerce Subcommittee on Tourism also led hearings on the industry on Friday to discuss the impact resulting from the downturn in the travel industry.

In addition, at the suggestion of TBR, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) will convene a bi-partisan meeting today to build consensus on measures that would provide an immediate stimulus for the nation�s economy, mindful of the ripple effect of the travel and tourism industry - the top three industry in 28 states and the District of Columbia.

The devastating impact on the industry is becoming clearer: airlines have reduced flight schedules and are carrying fewer passengers; hotels remain 20-25 percent below previous levels, and restaurant receipts are down significantly as well.  As a result, federal, state, and local tax revenues will be severely impacted, creating holes in the budget that will lead to unforeseen challenges at the local and state level.

Other measures supported by TBR include:

• Extending unemployment benefits and health care coverage to employees who have lost their jobs;
• Suspending payroll taxes for employees and delaying payment of payroll taxes of employers;
• Expanding/amending the Small Business Administration�s Economic Injury Disaster Relief Program to otherwise qualified small businesses across the country.

Previously, TBR members met with Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO), Jim Nussle (R-IA), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, as well as Sam Farr (D-CA) and Mark Foley (R-FL) Co-chairs of the House Travel and Tourism Caucus.

In addition to the stimulus package, TBR�s meeting at the White House with Karl Rove reaffirmed its call for the creation of a Presidential Advisory Council on Travel and Tourism that would be comprised of representatives from the public, private and non-profit sectors, and would work with the Executive Branch on tourism policymaking and implementation.  The TBR also urged the federal government to partner with the travel and tourism industry to launch a substantive advertising and marketing campaign that promotes the United States as a travel destination.

�When TBR was first created in 1995, it was with the belief that when CEOs talk, elected officials will listen and respond to the issues that affect the industry, and their constituencies,� adds Tisch.  �Last week�s meetings on the Hill are a perfect example of how we can achieve that goal when we speak together with one collective and unified voice.�

The Travel Business Roundtable is a CEO-based organization representing all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, including major airlines, hotels and lodging, restaurants, retail outlets, travel management companies, car rental companies, financial services institutions and others. TBR�s roster includes 50 CEOs who reflect the interdependence of all sectors of the travel and tourism industry and demonstrates the need to work collaboratively.