U.S. Chamber Applauds Senate Passage of Travel Promotion Act

Positive Step for Job Creation, Economic Growth

WASHINGTON D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today applauded the Senate's passage of the Travel Promotion Act, which will help increase overseas travel to the U.S. by creating a private-public partnership, without any U.S. taxpayer funds, to communicate changes to domestic travel policies and to promote the U.S. as a travel destination abroad.

"This bill will help alleviate much of the confusion that exists with regard to new security procedures, and attract new international visitors annually," said R. Bruce Josten, executive vice president of Government Affairs for the Chamber. "By doing so, it will create jobs, strengthen our economy, spur economic investment, and provide an important diplomatic benefit for our country."

Unlike many other countries, the U.S. does not have a nationally coordinated promotion effort to inform and compete for visitors in this increasingly competitive global marketplace. Oxford Economics estimates that a well-executed promotion program, as outlined in the Travel Promotion Act, would attract 1.6 million new international visitors annually. The international traveler provides a vital boost to businesses and state and local governments nationwide, spending on average about $4,000 per person, each time they enter the U.S.

"The United States has some of the greatest vacation destinations in the world and should seek to attract legitimate travelers," said Josten. "With new security regulations constantly being implemented, it is imperative that the rest of the world remain informed and that the U.S. regains its position as one of the world's most popular destinations."

According to a recently released report from the U.S. Travel Association and Oxford Economics, over the last decade international travel became one of the fastest growing segments of the global economy, while at the same time overseas travel to the U.S. decreased by 9%. According to the study, this decline has cost our economy $509 billion in lost spending and 441,000 in lost jobs.

"It is imperative for the U.S. to reverse this trend and to make sure that the world views our country as a welcoming place to visit and to do business in," said Josten.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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