Bill would help in promoting U.S. travel

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Industry has been in decline since 2000

travel and tourism candidate for U.S. president?

Recent surveys in hand, some national leaders in those industries say voters would like to see one.

I think, however, there is far more interest in getting the Travel Promotion Act of 2007 through Congress.

So does Jack Wert, executive director for tourism promotion in Collier County.

"The Travel Promotion Act is extremely important," Wert said. "It no longer is a special-interest group issue. It's gone mainstream."

Here's what Wert is talking about:

The U.S. Senate and House bills (S.1661 and H.R. 3232) would establish a public-private nonprofit Corporation for Travel Promotion.

Its mission: To clearly explain U.S. security policies to would-be international visitors; improve perceptions about travel here; and to create a national advertising brand for U.S. tourism.

The money would come from a new, small fee charged to overseas travelers — not in the picture as yet — and contributions from the U.S. travel industry. The traveler fee would be no more than $5 or $10 U.S., said Allen Kay, spokesman for the Travel Industry Association, a key promoter of the legislation.

Although some literature hyping the act claims no impact whatsoever on taxpayers, Kay said some federal "seed money" might be needed initially.

The WashingtonWatch.com site run by the director of information policy studies for the Cato Institute estimated the taxpayer impact from passage of the bills at $1.79 per person.

By comparison, a bill to fund U.S. military activity in Iraq — H.R. 4156, the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act — would cost $164.78 per person, according to the same Web site.

Why is this national tourism effort needed? Here's what supporters say:

"Let me be clear: This is not Iraq, immigration or health care. But travel and tourism are very important to voters," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association (TIA) following release of survey results shortly before Thanksgiving weekend. TIA was a survey funder and is a key backer of the proposed act.

Much is at stake. U.S. travel will be a $740 billion industry this year, according to the association. It could be much more, though:

According to a TIA study released earlier this year, overseas travel to the United States has declined 17 percent since 2000, costing America $94 billion in lost visitor spending, nearly 200,000 jobs and $16 billion in lost tax revenue.

Some of the losses occurred following reports of international travelers having unpleasant experiences at airport checkpoints and border crossings. "But a lot of it is misinformation," Wert said, noting the new travel corporation would work to counteract that.

Increased competition also is taking a bite out of international travel to the USA, Wert noted: "We're a wonderful bargain. But it's still a 9-10 hour flight to get here — and that's to the first point of entry. Establishing a national brand is super-important."

But it's not just about the national economy, both Wert and Kay insist. There are incalculable diplomacy benefits from enticing law-abiding international visitors here, and making them feel welcome.

That brings us back to the survey results released shortly before Thanksgiving.

The findings come from surveys of Republicans and Democrats who are likely to vote in the presidential primaries of Florida and South Carolina.

Three-fifths of likely voters surveyed said they believe 2008 presidential candidates have not adequately addressed issues surrounding travel and tourism. Between one-third and one-half of the respondents from both states and both parties would be more likely to vote for a candidate who does.

I asked Wert what a candidate possibly could say that would make a difference. His reply:

"I understand the importance of bringing people from other countries here, to begin to understand our culture and to understand we're not bad people. And that we can get along."

Wert also would like the candidate to say a few words in support of the Travel Promotion Act. He's hopeful it has a chance. "If not this session, maybe the next."

Printable Version | published Nov 27, 2007

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