Lawmakers propose huge cut to Brand USA funding
A US Senate committee has tabled a proposal to slash the budget of Brand USA’s annual funding.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation wants to cut it by a massive 80% from $100 million to just $20 million.
This would severely hamper Brand USA’s marketing activities in overseas markets.
“That will have very severe ramifications for what Brand USA will be able to do and not do,” a source told Skift.
A funding cut would also impact the matching contributions from the industry.
It follows the ousting of five Brand USA board members recently.
Inbound tourism to the US is already rapidly declining.
Trips from Canada by air are down 20%, while land border crossings declined by one third in April.
Related News Stories: Cruise lines slam proposed Mexico cruise fee Cruise industry takes aim at Hawaii cruise tax proposals Cayman Islands cruise pier referendum approved
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent