The National Tour Association (NTA) is sustaining its outreach to the presidential candidates as part of its election year advocacy program. Its Grassroots Action Network now includes 55 state chairs and co-chairs and 435 Congressional District coordinators. The association is calling for the creation of an executive office of travel and tourism in the White House.
The NTA believes the position is critical to addressing the negative image of the United States abroad, the struggling U.S. economy and the dwindling number of inbound visitors to the U.S. Additionally, NTA is urging Congress and the presidential candidates to support the Travel Promotion Act of 2007.
"NTA's Grassroots Action Network has always served as the eyes and ears of NTA on regional issues," said NTA Chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher. "We are now calling on them and other travel industry professionals to join together at this critical time in America. This group will be a permanent network and will not only be a source for elected officials and their staffs on travel and tourism issues, they also will be a thunderous voice to the presidential candidates letting them know Americans demand federal attention to travel and tourism."
"NTA has the strength of more than five decades of legislative action, the collaboration of our industry partners and the passion of our member network to make a significant impact on public policy," said NTA Public Affairs Advocate Steve Richer. Travel professionals interested in learning more about ways to get involved should contact NTA Director of Government and Industry Relations Matt Grayson at [email protected]. (GD)