Senate approves Travel Promotion Act

The Senate Commerce Committee approved the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 May 20. Sponsors believe the bill will help stimulate the U.S. economy, create thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions in new tax revenue.

According to the proposed legislation, private-sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who enter the U.S would fund promotion of the U.S. as a premier travel destination. Analysis by the U.S. Travel Association concluded the program would create nearly 40,000 new jobs in the U.S.

“This is the jobs and growth package America needs,” says Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Travel Promotion is common-sense legislation that places America on par with its competitors around the world without taking a dollar from U.S. taxpayers.”

The landmark legislation is considered especially necessary given the fact that America continues to welcome fewer overseas visitors than prior to September 11, 2001.