After two years of focused efforts by the travel industry, the Senate has finally passed the Travel Promotion Act, recognizing the importance of providing a warm welcome to international visitors. The Act passed by a resounding vote of 79-19, creating a U.S. promotion and communications program which will target international travelers. The fact that the Senate passed the Travel Act when faced with multiple legislative issues is a testament to the significance of the travel industry to the nation's economy.
This piece of legislation is of extreme importance because it promises to create thousands of new jobs and contribute billions of dollars in direct spending from international visitors. It also has the potential to improve America's reputation abroad when the visitors return to their homeland and speak positively of their experience in the US.
The next challenge this bill faces is to pass the House of Representatives by a majority. Congressmen Bill Delahunt (D-MA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), the lead sponsors of the bill, feel that this is a likely occurrence. Members of the travel industry can show their support for the Act by thanking the Senators that voted and simultaneously urging House representatives to vote as well. For more information regarding contacting local Representatives and encouraging them to support the Travel Promotion Act (H.R. 2935) please see www.poweroftravel.org and www.capwiz.com.
The San Francisco area has always offered a warm welcome to its visitors, both domestic and international in origin. If you are interested in visiting San Francisco, you can obtain more information at the following link: www.extranomical.com.
