On September 16, STS will hold its annual Congressional Tourism Summit in the recently opened Congressional Visitors Center of the U.S. Capitol. The Visitors Center opened to the public on December 2, 2008 to architectural and popular accolades.
Securing space in the Visitor’s Center during its inaugural year is the hottest ticket in town. STS is grateful to the efforts of Representative Sam Farr, Co-Chair of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus, and his staff for reserving the space. Be sure to mark your calendars to attend this event. More details will be provided as speakers are confirmed.
Overview of Congressional Summit8:30 am: Legislative Briefing
Morning: Congressional Visits at Capitol Hill
Noon: Luncheon with members of Congress and MOU Federal Interagency team members at the new US Capitol Visitors Center. Speakers: Rep. Sam Farr, (D-Calif.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), co-chairs of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus.
1:30 pm: Tentative signing ceremony for the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between STS and Federal Agencies.
More information.
Your Help Is Needed Immediately
The U.S. Senate is expected to bring the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 to the floor for debate and a vote beginning as early as Wednesday, June 10. This is an enormous opportunity for our industry and a test of our resolve to stand up for travel and play a greater role in Washington. We urge you to contact both of your Senators today and Wednesday and ask them to co-sponsor and vote YES on S. 1023, the Travel Promotion Act.
>> You can e-mail your Senator directly using this link.
>> Use these sample talking points (courtesy of U.S. Travel Association).
>> View a letter from Sen. David Vitter (R - La.) in support of the tourism industry.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation approved the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (S. 1023). Under the legislation, sponsored by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.), a public-private partnership with a budget of up to $200 million annually would be created to attract international travelers to the United States by competing for visitors and by better communicating America's security policies. The program could potentially drive $4 billion annually in new spending by international travelers to the U.S.
The Travel Promotion Act specifies that travel promotion would be paid for by private sector contributions with a $10 fee on international travelers from countries that do not pay the $131 for a visa to enter the U.S. A companion bill has not yet been introduced in the House of Representatives but is expected shortly. Similar legislation was introduced in the Senate and passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, but did not receive a vote in the Senate before the 110th Congress adjourned.
National Park Service to Waive Park Fees This SummerIn a move to boost tourism, the National Park Service announced it will waive park fees on three weekends this summer in an effort to attract tourists in the midst of the recession.
Under the park initiative, visitors will not have to pay entrance fees on June 20-21, July 18-19 and Aug. 15-16. Fees range from $3 per person at Great Falls Park along the Potomac River to $25 per vehicle at Yellowstone National Park. In all, 147 of the 391 national parks charge admission fees.
The summer waiver does not cover other fees for camping, reservations, tours and concessions sales.
Many businesses in gateway communities (including hotels, restaurants, gift shops and tour operators) also will offer discounts and promotions, according to the Interior Department.
More than 275 million people visited National Parks last year and most Americans live less than a day's drive from one.
Federal Tourism Policy Council Announced
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke was a keynote speaker at U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow 2009. Addressing the nearly 5,000 attendees, Locke declared his commitment to expanding the U.S. as an international tourism destination.
The Secretary announced that he will be convening a Tourism Policy Council in this fall to expand the federal government’s interagency communications and collaboration on policies the tourism industry. He also announced that he will maintain the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and looks to spirited discussions on how government and industry can more effectively work together to facilitate international travel to the U.S.
To read the Secretary’s remarks, click here.
Let us know about your legislative issues and concerns. Please contact Bill Hardman.
