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.

Roger Dow recently traveled to Brazil, one of the top inbound travel markets, to promote the U.S. to trade and government officials. Dow delivered a keynote address at the PanRotas Forum in Sao Paulo, a one-day industry event produced by Brazil's largest travel trade magazine. The speech to an audience of more than 1,200 high-level executives focused on the state of the U.S. travel industry and the Discover America Partnership. Prior to the forum Dow met with U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Clifford Sobel, members of the U.S. Commercial Service and the Brazil Minister of Tourism. He also conducted trade and consumer media interviews in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

This year's National Tourism Week (NTW) activities will take place May 12-20, 2007 and will be themed "Tourism: America's Front Door." The theme illustrates the importance of travel to America's image and suggests its impact as a leading industry for economic growth. This year's logo is now available for download. Feel free to include the logo on brochures, documents, presentations and banners that promote your NTW activities. All graphics and logos are copyright © Travel Industry Association.

With only one week to go, the drivers are in position and waiting for the starters flag! If you have not yet registered for TravelCom Res-Expo (April 4 -6) -- taking place at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas -- get in the race by clicking here now. Packed with actionable insights from Thought Leadership Forums and Workshops, you're sure to come away with a podium finish. Click here for full schedule. We look forward to welcoming you to TravelCom. For more information and online registration visit http://www.tia.org/industrymeet/TravelCom/index.html.

International Pow Wow exhibitors are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. March 30 is the last chance to request housing from the Housing Bureau so click here now to make your hotel reservations.

Popularly recognized as “The OC,” this world-class visitor destination is the center of Southern California fun! Warm sunshine, swaying palm trees and breathtaking ocean views create a relaxed lifestyle where shorts, sandals and sunglasses are always in season. It’s So California! The sightseeing tours registration deadline is tomorrow! Be sure to register for your Anaheim/Orange County experience. Choose one of 15 exciting sightseeing tours and register today at anaheimoc.org/powwow. Plus, find out about the unforgettable final night entertainment at the exclusive Club Anaheim/OC. See you there!