Business & Finance

Secretary Locke Announces Travel and Tourism Advisory Board

WASHINGTON, DC - February 20, 2010 - Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced his decision to appoint the new members of the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board). The board’s new charter expanded membership to include a more diverse and expansive industry representation from private sector participants in the travel and tourism industry. The appointees represent a broad cross-section of the industry including transportation services, financial services, and hotels and restaurants, as well as a mix of small and large firms from across the country.

“The health and stability of the travel and tourism industry touches all regions and impacts employment and economic strength across the country,” said Locke. “I look forward to working with the Travel and Tourism Board to develop policies that can help put Americans back to work in this critical sector.”

The board provides counsel to the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related concerns. The Department of Commerce will schedule the board’s inaugural meeting in the coming weeks.

Travel and tourism is one of the nation’s most significant exports, accounting for 2.7 percent of the nation’s GDP and supporting more than eight million jobs. One in every 16 jobs has its roots in the travel and tourism industry.

The most recent board, which ended its term in September 2009, presented recommendations to Secretary Locke at its final meeting, focusing on three key issues: airport congestion, travel facilitation issues and the economic sustainability of the industry.

The full list of members being appointed and other pertinent information is available: http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/TTAB/TTAB_Home.html.

Media Contact:
Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
tinet_info@ita.doc.gov

Sign up to receive more articles like this on the Hotel Newswire Daily Digest eNewsletter.


Receive the free Daily Digest
Coming Up In The March Online Hotel Business Review

"Hotel Business Review offers weekly articles for hotel management and operation and discussion on emerging growth markets."
Feature Focus
Hotel Human Resources: The Biggest Challenges
The economic challenges of the past four years have led many hotel companies to re-examine the ways in which they do business and how they deploy talent. In many cases, the work did not go away and fewer people were left to carry on the tasks that had previously been shared among many. As we work our way out of the recession and look forward to a healthier economic environment, there is an understanding that despite recovering business levels, we may never see the return of former staffing levels. This "new norm" of operating with leaner teams has led Human Resources professionals and people managers to look at career development and growth opportunities in a new light. The March Hotel Business Review will take a look at some of the strategies being used by successful hotel brands, and techniques human resource directors are currently exploring.
INSIGHTS FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS BY INDUSTRY LEADERS
"The Four Habits of Highly Effective Human Resources"
By James Bermingham, Vice President, Montage Hotels
"Embassy Suites 'The Circle of Leadership"
By Darci Riesenhuber, Director of Brand Culture, Embassy Suites Hotels
"Applying Consumer Marketing Best Practices to Employee Loyalty"
By Fred Bendana, Executive Director Client Services, Maritz Loyalty & Motivation
"How Incentives are Changing to Keep Existing Staff Motivated?"
By Jim Houran, Partner, HVS Executive Search
PLUS: Mobile Technology - Attracting & Retaining Top Talent - Education - Employee Engagement - Employment Claims & Litigation - Employment Contracts - HR Management.