House Approves Travel Promotion Act
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the Travel Promotion Act by a vote of 358 to 66. The Senate version had passed on September 8. H.R. 1035 will be sent to the Senate for a vote.
The Travel Promotion Act would create a public-private partnership to promote the United States as an exceptional travel destination and to better detail U.S security and entry policies. The education and promotion organization would be funded through $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay for a visa to enter the U.S.
On September 15, a forum on Stimulating Economic Vitality and Resource Conservation in Gateway and Tribal Communities was convened before a diverse audience of policymakers, Federal land managers, state, local, and tribal officials and tourism executives. Southeast Tourism Society was one of the sponsors of the event, which featured Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood and Interior Sec. Ken Salazar as keynote speakers.
Sec. Ray LaHood addresses Forum
Included on the agenda were Betty Huskins, Southeast Tourism Policy Council chair, who addressed issues of concern to Gateway communities and Bill Hardman, STS president and CEO, who spoke on environmental, conservation and historical and cultural concerns in tourism promotion.
The aim of the forum was to produce policy recommendations that will make a difference in the way policy is crafted, promoted, and enacted in tourism marketing, partnerships, resource appreciation and sustainability, and economic development for Federal lands, Gateway and Tribal communities. A listing of the recommendations raised at the forum is being compiled and will be release later this year. To view pictures of the event, visit this special STS page.
STS Participates in Leadership Briefing with Sec. Janet Napolitano
Sec. Janet Napolitano
On October 1, the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus (CTTC) convened its first leadership briefing with Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano and tourism executives.
The intimate discussion provided the Secretary with an open platform and 15 tourism executives to have a lively discussion on issues of concern to the industry.
The wide ranging discussion touched on the facilitation of international visitors, implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, H1N1 virus, the Olympics, cutting edge security measures, disaster response, and the Travel Promotion Act.
The briefing was the first of a series of forums organized by the CTTC with high level Administration officials in an effort to expand federal policymakers understanding of the vital role tourism plays in the nation’s economic vitality and to advance legislation and policies to strengthen the health and growth of the industry.
STS Hosts Luncheon for Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus
Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)
On September 16, STS hosted its annual Congressional Tourism Summit luncheon in the recently opened Congressional Visitors Center of the U.S. Capitol. Representatives Sam Farr (D-Calif.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), co-chairs of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus (CTTC) provided remarks on the key issues on the tourism agenda, along with Dean Reeder, Director of Tourism for the National Park Service.
The luncheon is an opportunity for Members of Congress interested in tourism policy to network, obtain updates on the legislative agenda of the Congressional Travel& Tourism Caucus, to learn more about travel and tourism issues and to meet key Federal agency program staff. The luncheon also offers an opportunity to hear how the travel industry creatively, and through partnerships, interacts with Federal agencies responsible for promoting national tourism assets.
The audience was comprised of Members of Congress, Congressional staff, members of Southeast Tourism Society, representatives from key Federal agencies and Gerard Baker, Superintendent of Mount Rushmore, recently featured in Ken Burn's series "National Parks: America’s Best Idea."
Betty Huskins, Ridgetop Associates; Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.); Bill Hardman, STS
At the luncheon, STS distributed its newly published Federal Tourism Directory, which is designed to be a tool for encouraging educating policymakers on the scope of Federal tourism programs and encouraging greater collaboration across the government spectrum. An online version of the directory is available on the STS website. The Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus is distributing the directory to all of its members.
Let us know about your legislative issues and concerns. Please contact Bill Hardman.
