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Latest News in Government Advocacy
 Commerce Agreement to Boost Visits from China
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced an agreement with China to facilitate more group travel by Chinese citizens to the U.S. It also permits U.S. destinations to market themselves in China. TIA President and CEO Roger Dow lauded the successful negotiations by Commerce Secretary Gutierrez saying that the agreement "ensures a bright future for Chinese travel to the U.S. Click here for a release.
TIA and TBR Announce Intent  to Combine Forces
Efforts to unify the travel industry to create an even stronger voice with policymakers took a step forward recently when TIA, the Travel Business Roundtable and the Discover America Partnership announced their intentions to become a single organization in 2009. The three organizations cited emerging new threats that could exacerbate an already challenging operating environment, including: diminished travel due to a troublesome TSA process and an antiquated air traffic system; bad tax policies that redirect funds away from industry facilities and marketing efforts; and burdensome new environmental regulations modeled off policies adopted in Europe. For further information, click here.
Travel Promotion Act Continues to Garner Support, But More Co-Sponsors Needed
 Travel industry efforts to urge Congressional leaders to pass legislation that will provide up to $200 million to promote America to travelers from other countries are paying major dividends. The Travel Promotion Act now has 101 sponsors in the House and 24 in the Senate. Your help in continuing to sign up co-sponsors is needed. Click here to view the Travel Promotion Act and for a list of Congressional sponsors.
Travel Leadership Summit Made Impact
 Congressman David Price of North Carolina(center) was among the Members of Congress who met with their states' travel industry professionals during the Travel Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. About two dozen states hosted receptions and dinners and went to Capitol Hill to seek support for a travel promotion bill that would bring more international visitors to the U.S. as well as for funding for transportation and other improvements that affect the travel industry. Click here for more details.
Passport Deadline Takes Effect
The travel industry supports continuation of the passport requirement for American travelers returning into the U.S. by air under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) since passport wait times have been significantly reduced. Still, we remain concerned about potential challenges associated with issuance of U.S. passports and passport cards when WHTI enforcement begins for land and sea travel sometime in 2009 and continue to share with federal officials the need to facilitate more economical inbound Canadian travel by land. For more information on passport issues, visit www.GetAPassportNow.com
President Signs Most Significant Travel Reform Since 9/11
The travel industry won a huge victory in Washington on Friday, August 3, when legislation containing provisions critical to improving inbound travel to the U.S. was signed into law by President Bush. The 9/11 Commission Recommendations bill includes provisions to strengthen and expand the Visa Waiver Program and improve the entry process at our nation's airports. For details, click here.
Critical Travel Industry Legislation Passes Congress
The travel industry's year-long effort to raise its profile in Washington paid off Friday when legislation containing travel industry provisions passed the House and Senate and went to the White House to be signed into law. The provisions are contained in 9/11 legislation and are critical to improving inbound travel to the U.S. They represent a significant travel industry victory. For details, click here.
Common Sense Prevails on Passports
 Travel industry leaders backed a move by the State Department and Department of Homeland Security on June 8 to temporarily allow U.S. citizens to fly back from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and other Western Hemisphere countries without a passport if they show valid photo identification and proof that a passport application has been submitted. The new process will be in effect through September 30, 2007. Click here for full release.
Industry Experts Tout Travel as Leading Public Diplomacy Tool
Leaders from the travel industry testified March 20 before a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee that travel and tourism is America's greatest tool for combating its increasingly negative image around the world. Charles L. Merin, president of the Travel Business Roundtable and Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership, asserted the need to enhance security at our borders while enacting policies to make the U.S. more welcoming to legitimate international travelers. Click here for full press release.
In related news, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing March 20 in which federal agency representatives and travel industry leaders from Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota and South Carolina testified on visa and entry reform, and the need for a nationally coordinated effort to promote international travel to the United States.
TIA Participates in Model Airport Site Visit
 Continuing its push for a better welcome to international visitors, TIA, Travel Business Roundtable (TBR) and the private sector participated in a series of meetings and tours of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, one of two official Model Airports. The purpose of the Model Airports program, of which Dulles International is the second member, is to create a more efficient and welcoming screening system for international travelers on entry to the U.S. Attendees observed a number of elements put in place at George Bush Intercontinental and offered practical recommendations for improvement of line management, welcoming videos and staffing/training issues.
Travel Industry Blueprint Unveiled
 At TIA's State of the Travel Industry Luncheon, Jay Rasulo (left), TIA National Chair and Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, introduced a three-point plan to strengthen security and improve U.S. policies and procedures to send a more welcoming message from America to travelers around the world. "The Blueprint for Change," created under the direction of the Discover America Partnership over the past several months, offers concrete proposals to repair our visa policy, improve entry procedures and take action that can alter negative perceptions of the U.S. in other countries.
For the text of Rasulo's speech, click here.
For a PDF of A Blueprint to Discover America, click here.
Click here for highlights from State of the Travel Industry Luncheon.
Dow and Oberstar Celebrate Byways
 Roger Dow (left), TIA President and CEO, introduced incoming Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and longtime supporter of the U.S. travel industry, Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minnesota) at a recent reception on Capitol Hill in honor of the 15th anniversary of the National Scenic Byways Program. Oberstar was one of several individuals who received a first-ever "Byways Pioneer Award." Click here for more on the recent 15th anniversary celebration of the National Scenic Byways Program.
New Web Site on Passport Requirements Launched
 The travel industry has launched a new website, GetAPassportNow.com, to inform travelers about new passport requirements and to help them get passports. The purpose of the website is to also educate travelers about pending deadlines contained in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) recently revised by Congressional action and provide easy access to passport information. Read More.
Western Hemisphere Travelers Encouraged to Get Passports
TIA, along with its strategic partner, the Travel Business Roundtable, is encouraging everyone anticipating a trip to or from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean to get a passport as soon as possible. "Canadians, Mexicans and others in the Western Hemisphere, including U.S. citizens, will need a passport at airports beginning in January, so it makes sense to be prepared as soon as possible," said Roger Dow, TIA President and CEO. Click here for press release and fact sheet.
WHTI Legislative Victory
In the closing hours of the 109th Congress, the travel and tourism industry achieved a great victory on the industry's top legislative priority when Congress approved extending the deadline for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) from January 1, 2008 until June 1, 2009. This tremendous victory is the result of a nearly two-year integrated campaign led by TIA, TBR and a host of other national and local organizations. Click here for further information.
Travel Leadership Summit Demonstrates Power of "One Industry, One Voice"
 The first-ever Travel Leadership Summit kicked off recently with a rally and reception at the Washington Convention Center followed by more than 30 state-sponsored dinners across the nation's capital. More than 1,000 members of the travel industry participated, as well as 100 Members of Congress. Click here to see highlights.
Travel Industry Endorses Advisory Report to Commerce Secretary
Travel industry leaders today endorsed an advisory report issued to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce as a "wake up call" emphasizing the need to pursue a wide range of strategies for welcoming more international visitors, including using travel as a key resource in our public diplomacy efforts and establishing a coordinated international marketing program. For full details, click here.
Leading the Fight on WHTI and Industry Image
TIA and TBR are leading the fight for a modest extension of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and to enhance our industry's position before policymakers. This week the USA Today ran an op-ed authored by TIA that details the many reasons for a WHTI extension, including the lessons learned from last week's airport security changes. Click here for op-ed. Also this week, a profile of Keith Reinhard and Business for Diplomatic Action was featured in an article in the Washington Post. Keith, a close friend of the Travel Business Roundtable, TIA and this industry, repeatedly emphasizes travel and tourism's crucial role in the public diplomacy process. Click here for article.
Response to British Arrests of Suspected Terrorists
We applaud the balanced approach articulated by Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff, Attorney General Gonzalez and TSA officials stressing that while there will be delays due to heightened security, there is no need to cancel travel plans. The title of the Rice-Chertoff initiative announced in January is exactly right: "Secure Borders and Open Doors."
For full statement from Roger Dow, click here
For New Air Travel Requirements, click here
Industry Leaders Testify to Challenges and Opportunities Travel Can Address
 Travel industry leaders Jay Rasulo, Chairman, Travel Industry Association and Chairman U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board; Jonathan Tisch, Chairman, The Travel Business Roundtable; and Todd Davidson, Chair, TIA's National Council of State Tourism Directors, told a Senate Subcommittee about challenges facing the industry and also about the unique role travel can play to help improve the U.S. image worldwide. For full testimonies, click here
Pew Study Shows Continued Decline in U.S. Image
The latest survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project reveals that America's global image has again slipped. In a statement to the press, TIA President and CEO Roger Dow remarked "Pew's latest survey sends a stark message: America's image is in crisis." TIA reiterates the need for policymakers to embrace travel and tourism and recognize its potential to boost the U.S. image around the globe. For full statement, click here.
Travel Industry Praises Border Legislation
Thanks to the collective efforts of the entire travel industry, the U.S. Senate approved an amendment that would extend final implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative so that potential problems can be worked out in advance. WHTI will require new travel documents of Canadian and Caribbean citizens entering the U.S. and of U.S. citizens returning from those countries. Click here for more information.
Click here to view a report from the Government Accountability Office concerning efforts by the federal government to implement the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or WHTI.
Government Report on Visa Delays
The Government Accountability Office (Office) has released a report entitled, "Border Security – Reassessment of Consular Resource Requirements Could Help Address Visa Delays." This report highlights the ongoing problem of excessive wait times for international travelers seeking a U.S. visa at certain consular locations – an issue the travel industry has been addressing for years. Click here to view the report.
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