Past Legislative Agendas - 107th Session of Congress

(TIA takes a lead role on behalf of the U.S. travel industry on these issues and supports with staff and financial resources)

Increased funding for TTSA and the In-Flight Survey
Appropriations Issues
Facilitation Issues
Other Primary Issues
Appropriations Issues:

Funding for In-Flight Survey and TTSA (Secure funding for priority federal tourism research programs)

Securing increased appropriations for both the In-Flight Survey and the Travel and Tourism Satellite Accounts (TTSA) will be one of TIA's top priorities in 2002. Significant increases in funding are needed if this data is to be useful for all states, regions and cities that rely on the In-Flight Survey to guide their international marketing efforts. The Travel and Tourism Satellite Accounts system requires $500,000 to make the system permanent, and may require lesser amounts going forward to maintain and update this system to provide the federal government a more complete picture of the full economic impact of the U.S. travel industry on the nation's economy (i.e. expenditures, jobs, payroll, etc.).

Total funding for the In-Flight Survey in 2001 was approximately $800,000, and supported 70,000 completed surveys. The TTSA received $200,000 in 2001. As a result of the industry's lobbying efforts, both programs will split an additional $500,000 for FY '02.

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Facilitation Issues:

(A) Border Control and Visa Reform Legislation (Manage implementation of new entry-exit control system and new document requirements for inbound international travelers)

As a response to the events of 9/11, legislation was introduced in the Senate in October to tighten border crossing procedures and implement new document requirements for inbound travelers. A revised version of entry-exit control (modified Sec. 110) is included in this legislation (S. 1749 and H.R. 3525). TIA and other industry lobbyists belonging to the Americans for Better Borders (ABB) coalition lobbied Senate staff in November and December and were able to secure a number of improvements to the legislation. President Bush signed this bill into law on May 14, 2002, and TIA was pleased to attend the signing ceremony, along with other members of the ABB coalition.

On a closely related matter, TIA will be representing the U.S. travel industry as one of the 9 private sector participants on the Data Management Improvement Act (DMIA) Task Force. This task force was created in 1999 with the reform of Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. This public-private sector task force is tasked with a number of assignments and deadlines concerning development and implementation of an integrated entry-exit control system. The task force must present its first report to Congress by the end of 2002. It will also be examining ways to better facilitate cross-border trade and tourism.

In addition to the 9 private sector organizations, there are 2 groups representing state/local officials, as well as 6 federal departments/agencies. TIA will work to ensure that any entry-exit system implemented by the federal government will not only provide increased security for this nation, but also markedly improve facilitation of inbound travel to the U.S.

(B) Pre-Inspection/Pre-Clearance (Seek federal support for expansion of Pre-Inspection and/or Pre-Clearance Activities)

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and U.S. Customs operate a limited number of overseas pre-inspection/pre-clearance facilities at international airports. These are currently limited to several airports in Canada, Aruba, and both Dublin and Shannon airports in Ireland. Although these are important federal facilitation tools, they are costly to maintain for the agencies, which must post personnel overseas, obtain space in international airports, and build the necessary secure facilities for such inspection procedures.

By taking advantage of natural wait time at departing airports, travelers coming into the U.S. can go through INS inspection and Customs clearance procedures prior to boarding at one of these airports. Upon arrival in the U.S. they deplane and are free to enter the terminal just as though they had taken a domestic flight. This eliminates the far too common hassle of long lines and frazzled nerves for inbound international visitors and returning American travelers.

The White House Conference on Travel and Tourism in 1995 recommended that Congress expand pre-inspection/pre-clearance to several more major international cities across the world. We believe the conditions now may be right to encourage expansion of the program.

In 2002, TIA will explore ways to obtain funding for a pilot pre-inspection program possibly between the U.S. and Japan. This may occur within the context of reform of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), or as a stand-alone issue. The events of 9/11 provide us an opportunity for expansion of this program since Congress and the Administration will be more favorably disposed toward spending money on such programs. The head of the U.S. Customs Service is already calling for an expansion of a similar program for cargo shipments bound for the U.S.

On a related front, TIA will monitor in 2002 the future of the INSPASS (INS Passenger Accelerated Service System), where frequent travelers utilize an ID card and hand biometric scanner to bypass the usual wait for INS inspection. The program may receive additional money in 2002, and the INS is exploring the possibility of modernizing the system and utilizing more current technologies. We will want to make sure that implementation of the program advances our goal of enhancing the convenience of inbound travel for frequent travelers. This program may also be impacted by efforts to create a new, "trusted traveler" program and new traveler ID card for airline travelers. While its creation is in the early stages, it would appear to be very similar to the INSPASS program.

(C) Visa Waiver Retention and Follow-Up (Work to retain the program in full in the face of some opposition following the events of 9/11)

TIA will work diligently to have the U.S. government retain the full Visa Waiver Program, even in the face of some limited criticism following the terrorist attacks on 9/11. An already- scheduled review of countries in the program was accelerated following 9/11, and these reviews of six countries (Argentina, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Uruguay) were completed late last year. On February 21, 2002, Argentina was temporarily suspended from the program due to its worsening economic and political conditions. While TIA regrets seeing any member country removed from the program, we support this action as a necessary step to protect U.S. security and maintain the integrity of the program.

TIA will also work through its International Marketing staff to communicate an important change in the Visa Waiver law to the affected 29 nations. This change in the law impacting inbound international visitors is the requirement that all foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program have in their possession a machine-readable passport when entering the U.S. This new requirement was originally scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2007, but was moved up to 2003, with the Secretary of State having the authority to waive this date requirement. In addition to whatever bulletins are issued by the Department of State, TIA will independently disseminate this news to Visit USA Committees and TIA members in all 29 countries in 2002. TIA will also communicate any new requirements as a result of passage of new border control/visa reform legislation pending in Congress this year.

While it is unrealistic to expect immediate movement on this issue, TIA must also continue to support expansion of the VWP beyond its current 29 members. State Department sources have indicated no new countries are in line to enter the program, but it is imperative that we prod them to more closely examine all countries that we believe come closest to meeting the objective criteria for entrance into the program.

Lastly, TIA is already engaged in discussions with the U.S. Department of State concerning visa issuance difficulties that have been brought to our attention either by TIA members or Visit USA committees. TIA has had meetings and discussions with State Department staff concerning the high levels of visa refusals in Brazil, and the reported difficulty for Brazilian nationals to apply for and receive visas for travel to the U.S. TIA will also be looking into charges that Mexican nationals are experiencing long delays in obtaining visas for travel to the U.S.

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Other Primary Issues:

TEA-21 Reauthorization (Work to secure an adequate level of funding for the nation's surface transportation program, and continuation and expansion of key programs such as National Scenic Byways and Transportation Enhancements.)

While reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, or TEA-21, will not occur until 2003, the groundwork for the new, multi-year highway program will begin in earnest in 2002. An adequate transportation infrastructure is critical to a growing tourism economy, and TIA will begin to communicate its surface transportation priorities to the relevant authorizing committees in 2002. We may also work in an informal fashion with any number of broad transportation coalitions whose interests are aligned with that of TIA and the U.S. travel industry. As a result of new spending on the war on terrorism (both at home and abroad), and dwindling gas tax receipts deposited into the Highway Trust Fund, budget pressures on reauthorization will grow. The battle to sufficiently fund all of the needs within our national surface transportation network will be a fierce one.

Scenic Byways (Work with groups interested in the National Scenic Byways Program, including the American Recreation Coalition, AAA, et al)

TIA will continue to support the important and ever-growing National Scenic Byways Program. There are currently 15 All-American Roads and 57 National Scenic Byways, and they afford domestic and international travelers alike opportunities to experience this country's unique historical, cultural, and natural qualities. The Scenic Byways Program is particularly important for rural communities that are seeking to develop a tourism economy – oftentimes as a replacement for resource extraction economies such as timber harvesting and mining. TIA should continue to advocate for funding for this important program.

Secondary Issues (Issues where TIA will work in concert with other industry organizations, and where the matter will not involve major staff time and TIA resources)

Federal Public Lands Access, etc. (Work with organizations interested in public lands issues, including the American Recreation Coalition, National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, American Bus Association, et al.)

We must continue to oppose restricting public access to this nation's national parks, national forests, and other public lands. While the federal government has a mission to protect and preserve these national treasures, the travel industry wants to ensure access to the public for their tourism and recreation enjoyment. TIA can join with other organizations to maintain open access for travelers to these parks and forests. We can also advocate for additional resources so that these public lands can be properly maintained, and so domestic and international visitors can have safe and enjoyable experiences in our great outdoors.

National Recreation Lakes (Work with the National Recreation Lakes Coalition, which consists of dozens of companies and national associations, and is being organized through the offices of the American Recreation Coalition.)

TIA will support the continued development of the National Recreation Lakes Program, whereby underutilized federally-managed, man-made lakes are improved in order to provide additional tourism and recreation experiences. We can support the National Lakes Recreation Coalition in endorsing legislation that would establish and fund a demonstration program of up to 20 man-made lakes.

Targets of Opportunity (Issues where TIA will continue to educate Congress, and look for opportunities to secure funding and support for demonstration projects)

Public-Private Partnership on International Tourism Promotion (Educate Congress on the need for a public-private partnership to promote the U.S. as the top destination for international travelers, and seek out opportunities for funding of such a partnership.)

TIA should seek out opportunities to educate Congress on its current SeeAmerica program, and continue to raise the issue of a public-private partnership between the U.S. travel industry and the federal government to promote the U.S. as the world's leading destination.

Additionally, TIA will look for possible opportunities to secure federal funding to establish demonstration projects or other public-private partnership programs to market the U.S. to key inbound travel markets overseas.

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