TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT PASSED BY SENATE COMMITTEE
After months of intensive discussions, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the “Travel Promotion Act of 2007.” This important bipartisan bill acknowledges the significance of the travel industry to the nation’s economy. Further, it recognizes the need to continue moving forward with critical improvements to our visa and entry processes in order to promote and facilitate increased international travel to the United States.  Click here for full details.

TRAVEL INDUSTRY HAS MISGIVINGS OVER NEW DHS CROSS BORDER PLAN Roger Dow, TIA President and CEO, has expressed concerns over plans released June 20 for the government to phase-in implementation of new ID requirements for persons arriving in the U.S. by land and sea beginning January 31, 2008. Click here for full story.

ODYSSEY AWARDS DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL JULY 6
There is still time to enter TIA’s Odyssey Awards, the premier awards program that recognizes the best in the travel and tourism industry, presented in partnership with National Geographic Traveler magazine. Winners will receive national recognition in the November/December 2007 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine as well as being honored at a special gala dinner and ceremony on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 during TIA’s Marketing Outlook Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Click here for a list of categories and entry guidelines.

ESTO 2007 WILL HELP YOU MAKE YOUR CASE
Learn to effectively make your case for the economic importance of travel and tourism with key audiences. Tom Curtis, Longwoods International, and Andy Levine, Development Counsellors International, will show ESTO 2007 delegates how to identify the critical data and creative ways to effectively present the message. Moderated by Margie Emmermann, Arizona Office of Tourism, this session will help turn key audiences into advocates and partners. ESTO delivers cutting edge education and unparalleled networking opportunities for the destination marketing community. Join the ESTO Community this August 15 — 18 at The Phoenician in Phoenix, Arizona. Click here to view the preliminary program and register for ESTO.