Déjà Vu All Over Again: House Approves Travel Promotion Act
Continuing the Conversation on Gateway and Tribal Communities
As a follow up to the September forum on Stimulating Economic Vitality and Resource Conservation in Gateway and Tribal Communities, the Department of Interior has launched a blog to make the presentations and informational materials easily accessible, as well as allow for additional public input.
The aim of the forum, which was sponsored by STS, AIANTA and WSTPC, 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.
View the blog at: gatewayandtribaltourism.blogspot.comLast week the House of Representatives approved the Travel Promotion Act (S. 1023) on a voice vote.
In October, the House also approved S.1023 when it was attached to a larger, non-controversial measure that had been fast tracked for approval. Due to parliamentary issues, S.1023 was stripped from the bill before Senate consideration, requiring a reset of the entire process.
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 a visa fee ($131) to enter the U.S.
S.1023 is currently awaiting action by the Senate.
A $10 fee will be levied on international travelers who do not pay a visa fee
Developing a Relationship with Congressional Representatives
One of the best ways to ensure that your Representatives and Senators are educated on tourism issues is to develop a relationship and communicate with them. It is important to get to know your Congressional Representatives and offer your assistance to keep them informed on key issues concerning tourism. You may be surprised at how welcoming they are to having a constituent’s thoughtful views on a particular issue.
Capitol and Senate in D.C.
Legislators and their staffs want to engage as many of their constituents as possible. You should have no trouble getting acquainted with them if you take advantage of available or created opportunities to meet them. Both patience and persistence are valuable in the development of these relationships.
Party affiliation is not a barrier; your Representative or Senators represent the entire district or state. You need not be a member of their political party to talk with them.
Don’t wait for problems to arise before you approach the Congressperson. Any public or official function in which you are involved, particularly those that demonstrate the economic importance of tourism, is a legitimate opportunity to invite your legislator and selected staff to attend.
You will benefit greatly by getting to know your legislators’ staffs, as they serve as key advisors. If the staffers are well-informed on tourism issues, the boss will be, too. With demanding schedules it can sometimes be difficult to reach a legislator directly, so by having a relationship with the staff you can relay a message and know that your input was received.
Getting Acquainted with Your Legislators
Step 1: Do your homework
To make meaningful contacts with your elected officials, do your homework and research your elected representatives and read up on their biography, background and policy interests. This information can be found on their Web sites.
Step 2: Stay informedOnce you become familiar with your legislators’ backgrounds, it is important to stay informed of their activities and positions on issues. Information gathered on their Web sites, public statements, votes taken on issues, and print and broadcast media reports on the legislators’ actions will be invaluable when you make personal contacts.
Step 3: EngageTake advantage of every opportunity to meet and become better acquainted with your Representative and Senator. Opportunities may develop through professional meetings or local civic or charitable organizations. You also can create opportunities to meet your legislators by inviting them and their staffs to your worksite. A visit to your organization can be very powerful and leave a lasting positive impression on your Representative and Senators. Put your elected officials on your mailing list to keep them informed of activities at your worksite or business.
Step 4: All politics are localIt’s not necessary to travel to Washington to make contact with your Senators or Representative. In fact, relationships with your Members of Congress are best developed by contacts made when the legislators are home in their district or state. All Congressional Members have District offices and staff. STS can help you locate the offices in your community. In these personal contacts, it is important that you be positive and constructive in your remarks. Prepare well and be factual. Make officials feel they are receiving some benefit from the relationship, and that they are receiving reliable information on issues. Fostering this relationship will encourage your elected officials to contact you when they have questions about tourism issues.
What legislative issues and concerns do you have? Let Bill Hardman know at bill@southeasttourism.org.
