On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the Travel Promotion Act of 2007, which aims to increase international travel to the United States. This bill stresses the economic importance of the travel industry to the U.S. and emphasizes the need to improve and simplify visa and entry processes in order to promote and facilitate inbound international travel. The bill would create: an independent, non-profit corporation; a Travel Promotion Fund; and an Office of Travel Promotion with a new Under Secretary to develop programs to increase the numbers of international travelers to the United States. The Office would also coordinate activities with the Departments of State and Homeland Security to further improve the nation's visa and entry processes for international visitors.
