US to create travel marketing fund
WASHINGTON, DC – The US House of Representatives has passed the Travel Promotion Act of 2008 in a bid to create thousands of new jobs and spur economic growth nationwide.
The move is designed to attract millions of additional international travellers to the United States who, since 9/11, have found ever-changing security policies and negative foreign press coverage to be a deterrent to visiting the US.
The bill must now pass the Senate.
The Travel Promotion Act 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 US taxpayers – by private sector contributions and a fee on foreign travellers who do not pay US$131 for a visa to enter the United States.
“This is a historic, unprecedented achievement for the travel community,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the US Travel Industry Association.
“In response to the tragic events of 9/11, the government put in place needed security measures. This legislation creates a public-private partnership to ensure proper communication of those measures and attract millions of additional international visitors.”
Ian Jarrett
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