America's Image in Crisis
NOVEMBER 14, 2006. With the elections behind us, it's time to set the rhetoric aside and take a hard look at America's economic and national security.
According the new research released in London recently, the U.S. is losing substantial numbers of business and leisure travelers to Europe because of the stringent security measures we impose on international visitors.
US travel and tourism - an industry often overlooked for its economic, security and diplomatic potential - has responded to this research by sending a wake-up call to our nation's elected officials in the form of a provocative ad being run in USA Today around the country. (see image below)
While somewhat counterintuitive, our national security is, indeed, impacted by the amount of travelers into the US; the more legitimate visitors that come, the more secure we are as a nation. Research has shown this to be true.
In addition to the security implications, our economy suffers when fewer business and leisure travelers come to the US, to say nothing of how our image around the world will continue to suffer if we don't get better about welcoming more international visitors.
America's image is in crisis and the time to act is now.
Through the Discover America Partnership and a USA Today ad the industry is now challenging our elected officials to strike the right balance between secure borders and open doors. For the last five years, we've done everything under the sun to secure our borders - largely by shutting people out. Now, let's swing the pendulum into balance and find a way to get people in.
The Travel Industry Association (TIA) is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $654 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. For more information, visit www.tia.org.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
