With more than one billion people traveling worldwide, travel is an undisputed driver of the global economy, supporting job growth, sustaining communities and bridging cultural divides, said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
Dow's remarks were part of a statement by Dow supporting two leaders in the travel industry who urged governments to stimulate global travel and recognize travel as trade at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week.
The executives, Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide, and Arne Sorenson, president and CEO, Marriott International, addressed global business and travel industry leaders at the Davos meeting, urged policies that stimulate global travel, create jobs and spur economic development.
"Here in the U.S., President Obama has set a goal of attracting 100 million international travelers to the U.S. by 2021. To achieve that, we must continue to improve travel facilitation and expand the Visa Waiver Program, which increases security and removes barriers for international leisure and business travelers from countries that are allied with the United States," Dow said.
"I commend Chris Nassetta and Arne Sorenson for bringing this to the world's attention at Davos and thank them for their strong leadership on actions that promote mobility and foster travel, " Dow said. Visit www.ustravel.org.