Entry/exit procedures, opening Cuba for travel, and funding for destination marketing organizations and national parks are among the National Tour Association’s (NTA) eight priority advocacy issues for 2010, the association reports. The NTA said its government relations team will monitor all legislative activity, these eight issues will receive top attention.
“Based on legislation that can either impede or help our members’ business interests, the NTA Board determines these priority issues to set the focus of the association’s government advocacy work for the coming year,” said NTA president Lisa Simon.
The eight issues adopted by the NTA Board are:
* Hotel occupancy tax issues
* U.S. entry and exit procedures, visa issuance and the expansion of the Visa Waiver Program
* Marketing grants for destination marketing organizations and nonprofit organizations
* Airline policies that impact sellers of travel
* Lifting of U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba
* Effective implementation of the Travel Promotion Act and the creation of a high-level travel/tourism presence
* National Parks and public lands access/marketing funds
* Passage of highway and Federal Aviation Administration authorization bills
These issues will be discussed with elected officials during the 2010 Grassroots Symposium to be held February 8-10, in Washington, D.C. Featured remarks of the Symposium are by Congressman Bill Delahunt, (D-Mass), who is chief House sponsor of the Travel Promotion Act and the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act.
The NTA's government relations activities include monitoring security issues, as well as state and federal legislation and regulatory issues affecting the travel and tourism industry. NTA maintains full-time representation in Washington, D.C.
Visit www. NTAonline.com.