The Innkeeping Blog

With Roger Dow, CEO of the US Travel Association

I’m wrapping up my day here in the nation’s capital, after having joined my colleagues from the travel industry in visiting several members of Congress and their staff.  Our primary purpose in being in DC is to urge the passage of House Resolution 2935, also known as the Travel Promotion Act.  If passed, the TPA would essentially create America’s first “destination marketing organization” that would exclusively work to bring more international travelers to the United States.

A new, stand-alone non-profit organization, called the Corporation for Travel Promotion, would be created and would manage the activities of tourism promotion.  The board would be made up of representatives from various sectors of the travel industry.  The Senate version of the bill passed last week with a vote of 79-19, demonstrating unusually high bi-partisan support.  The lead sponsors in the House are Delahunt (D) from MA, and Blunt (R) from MO.  There are currently 82 co-sponsors from both sides of the isle.

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Marti Mayne of Maynely Marketing today sent me a link to a CNN interview with Pauline Frommer that covers what changes might be in store for the travel industry under an Obama administration. Click on the link below to be directed to the video.

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