Domestic Travel in the US Needs a Boost from Home and The House of Representatives
Before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce today, Geoff Freeman, senior vice president for public affairs at the Travel Industry Association (TIA), said that the decline in overseas travel to the United States since 9/11 has cost America 46 million visitors, $140 billion in lost visitor spending and $23 billion in lost tax revenue. If the United States had simply kept pace with global travel trends in 2007, an additional 340,000 jobs would have been created.
“The United States is a travel bargain with the dollar at an all-time low and yet we welcomed two million fewer overseas visitors in 2007 than 2000,” said Geoff Freeman, senior vice president for public affairs at the Travel Industry Association (TIA). “It is time for a concerted effort to change the global perception that visitors are no longer welcome. The Travel Promotion Act will strengthen America’s economy and standing in the world.”
The “Travel Promotion Act,” H.R. 3232, introduced by Representatives William Delahunt (D-MA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and communicate U.S. security and entry policies. The bill specifies that travel promotion would be paid for at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. Private sector contributions and a modest fee on foreign travelers that do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States would generate funds. Nearly every developed nation in the world spends millions of dollars to attract visitors.
Overseas visitors stay longer and spend an average of $4,000 per traveler, per visit far greater than domestic travelers ($376 per person, per trip on average) or visitors from Canada and Mexico ($1,200).
It’s projected that a $100 million travel promotion program would result in millions more overseas visitors to the United States and yield at least $8 billion per year in new visitor spending and $850 million per year in new federal tax revenue.
“This is exactly the economic stimulus America needs right now,” continued Freeman. “Congress must pass this bill before leaving town.”
Freeman noted that the United States has made great progress in improving security measures since 9/11 but has neglected to ensure that security enhancements are balanced by sensible investments in travel facilitation and an effort to communicate changing security requirements to international travelers.
By Karen Loftus
Karen
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps