House Passes Kosmas-Sponsored Travel Promotion Bill

Press Release

House Passes Kosmas-Sponsored Travel Promotion Bill

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure co-sponsored by Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) to promote America as a top travel destination and increase tourism from overseas. The Travel Promotion Act will bring the public and private sectors together to coordinate a national effort to encourage global travel to the United States.

The bill -- which requires no taxpayer money -- is estimated to attract 1.6 million new international visitors to the country and add $4 billion to the U.S. economy. An analysis by the U.S. Travel Association reveals that this program would create nearly 40,000 new American jobs.

"Central Florida's accommodations and attractions are world class, and promoting travel to the U.S. will lead to increased business for hotels, restaurants and small businesses in our community" said Congresswoman Kosmas. "Tourism is a key industry for Central Florida and this fiscally responsible bill will help create jobs and give our economy a needed boost."

"We would like to thank Congresswomen Kosmas for supporting the Travel Promotion Act," said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. "This law means a great deal to the hospitality industry in Florida. The Travel Promotion Act will maximize and promote the United States as a premier travel destination to the rest of the world."

The United States is one of the few developed countries that does not have a nationally coordinated travel promotion program to spur economic development. Since 2001, the U.S. share of the world travel market has decreased by nearly 20 percent, costing hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue. Additionally, the travel industry is feeling the sharp effects of the economic downturn. In 2008, nearly 200,000 travel-related jobs were lost nationally, and the U.S. Commerce Department forecasts that another 247,000 jobs will be lost in 2009.

The Travel Promotion Act, which is supported by business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Travel Association, and Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, will establish a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination. The legislation calls for travel promotion to be paid for by private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who enter the United States under the auspices of the visa waiver program.

The legislation would also establish the Corporation for Travel Promotion, an independent, non-profit corporation governed by an 11-member board of private-sector directors appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.

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