Travel Promotion Act Garners 222 House Co-sponsors

. October 14, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC, June 26, 2008. The Travel Industry Association (TIA) announced today that a bipartisan majority of the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have co-sponsored H.R. 3232, the "Travel Promotion Act," introduced by Representatives William Delahunt (D-MA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO). The legislation (S. 1661/H.R. 3232) would create a public-private partnership to better explain U.S. security policies and attract millions of additional overseas visitors.

"This is a major step forward toward passage of the 'Travel Promotion Act,'" said Roger Dow, President and CEO of TIA. "Members of Congress clearly understand how important overseas travel is to growing the U.S. economy and enhancing America's image abroad."

Overseas* travelers represent 42 percent of U.S. international arrivals, yet account for 79 percent of spending by international travelers in the United States.

Despite the weak dollar and a boom in worldwide international travel, two million fewer overseas travelers visited the United States in 2007 than in 2000. The decline has cost America nearly $140 billion in lost visitor spending, $22 billion in lost tax receipts and 230,000 lost jobs.

Studies show that international travelers who have visited the United States are 74 percent more likely to have a favorable opinion of the country than those who have not. By welcoming millions more visitors, the "Travel Promotion Act" will greatly enhance America's "people-to-people" public diplomacy.

The travel promotion campaign created by the legislation would be financed by the private sector and a matching fee from foreign travelers - at no cost to U.S. taxpayers.

The "Travel Promotion Act" enjoys the official support of 223 U.S. Representatives and 47 Senators (including sponsors and co-sponsors).

For more information about the economic impact of travel, visit www.PowerofTravel.org.