USTA Expresses Concern Over Government Micromanagement of Business Travel
Recovery Act Will Create Jobs, Rebuild Critical Travel Infrastructure
The U.S. Travel Association (USTA)(formerly Travel Industry Association) today welcomed House approval of the $787 billion compromise economic stimulus package but expressed concern over business travel limitations. Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, issued the following statement:
"America's travel community is grateful to Speaker Pelosi and the House of Representatives for passing a compromise economic stimulus package that will create millions of new jobs and modernize America's travel systems by making significant new investments in roads, highways, airports and public lands infrastructure.
"At the same time, we are concerned that a provision in the stimulus bill to limit business travel for recipients of emergency economic assistance sets a dangerous precedent and fuels the mischaracterization of business travel as unnecessary spending. One million jobs are generated by business meetings and events. At a time when we are working to stimulate the economy and create jobs, restricting business travel is counterproductive. Local economies rely on the $16 billion in tax revenue generated by these meetings, and cities from Las Vegas, Nevada to Amelia Island, Florida are feeling the pain as company after company cancels large conferences and incentive trips for fear of poisonous publicity. Policymakers must recognize that in order to stimulate the economy, we need to keep American businesses traveling for legitimate, revenue-generating purposes.
"Recipients of taxpayer dollars have an obligation to be transparent and accountable with significant expenditures. America's travel community came together earlier this week to issue standards on acceptable business travel practices for the use of meetings, events and incentive/recognition travel by firms that receive taxpayer funds. Instead of pushing unnecessary legislative remedies, the travel community invites Congress to join in support of the travel standards we have outlined."
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel's mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.
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