Restaurant News Resource - U.S. Travel Association News

The U.S. Travel Association today applauded the Senate Appropriations Committee for a package of visa and entry initiatives contained in the FY 2013 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security that will address inefficiencies in the U.S. visa and entry process and help to attract millions of new legitimate visitors while increasing safeguards.

For the second consecutive year, the outlook for summer travel continues to brighten with more than three in five U.S. adults (64%), or an estimated 154 million Americans, planning on taking at least one trip for leisure purposes during the next six months. The percentage of Americans planning to travel between May and October is up from 61 percent last April and 56 percent in April 2010.

The U.S. Travel Association commended the newly-introduced House and Senate versions of the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act of 2012. The legislation will create jobs and improve national security through provisions that make long-term reforms to the visa system, improve the entry process and expand the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The U.S. Travel Association today praised an agreement that adds Israel to the U.S. Global Entry program, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

Travel jobs are adding to the economy faster than any other sector, and pro-travel policies should be put into place because of the economic engine the U.S. travel industry is to the nation, stressed Geoff Freeman, chief operating officer and executive vice president of the U.S. Travel Association, in testimony today before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.

Freeman’s appointment strengthens the travel industry’s ability to advocate for continued improvements to the aviation security screening process, as well as customs and entry procedures.

Industry Applauds Goal of Welcoming 100 Million International Visitors Annually by 2021

David Huether, senior vice president of economics and research at the U.S. Travel Association, provides analysis on the Commerce Department announcement on international trade:

Travel from the Asia-Pacific region to the U.S. is critical to the economy, and U.S. policy should ensure future growth, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow asserted in testimony before Congress today.

Representing the 14.4 million U.S. jobs supported by the U.S. travel industry, employees nationwide will rally on May 8 to highlight the jobs and economic impact created by travel. With more than 120 cities and states holding rallies and events, this year's National Travel and Tourism Week nearly doubles last year's participation and sets a new record.