Obama plea from US travel industry

The US travel industry has called on President-elect Barack Obama to work together to help America “win hearts and minds around the world”.

The plea came from Travel Industry Association president and CEO Roger Dow in the wake of Obama’s historic election.

Additionally, the US National Tour Association will present recommendations on how the travel and tourism sector can help the economy to Obama in Washington DC on December 16.

As a first step, a cross-section of 20 travel leaders has been invited to submit ideas and convene to develop recommendations.

NTA president Lisa Simon said: “We believe it is critical to equip President-elect Obama and his administration with the ways in which travel can fuel the US economy.

“We know that travel and tourism is a way to quickly inject new jobs, new income and new tax revenues into our national economy. We simply need a unified plan to make it happen.”

Outlining the value of travel to the US economy – $700 billion in spending a year – Dow pledged support for the new Democratic administration.

He outlined the two most daunting challenges faced by the new President – improving the US economy and strengthening America’s image in the international community.

“Travel is uniquely positioned to address both of these challenges,” said Dow.

“The American economy is dependent on travel. The industry employs one out of every eight US workers, drives more than $700 billion in spending and is a major economic force in each of the 50 states.

“The small- and medium-sized businesses that make up more than 90 percent of America’s travel community can trigger the kind of bottom-up economic growth and job creation that will put this economy back on track.”

He added: “Travel is also uniquely capable of helping America win hearts and minds around the world.

“The international business people, students and tourists who visit the United States each day are America’s most effective diplomats.

“Those who have visited the United States are 74% more likely to have a favourable opinion of America and its policies than those who have not.

“Nine in ten travellers who visit the United States tell their friends and neighbours about their experience.

“TIA has a positive agenda for change that includes modernizing America’s infrastructure and travel processes, creating jobs and improving the nation’s energy security. We look forward to working closely with President-elect Obama to achieve these goals and build a stronger America.”

by Phil Davies