Critical infrastructure investments in roads and highways, airports, and public lands will create new jobs and modernize America’s travel systems, the U.S. Travel Association (formerly Travel Industry Association) said in a statement. The group voiced its support for the $838 billion economic stimulus package approved yesterday by the U.S. Senate.
“We applaud the U.S. Senate for passing an economic recovery package that will provide the U.S. economy - including America's $740 billion travel industry - with an immediate boost to help us recover from this recession. Both the House and Senate bills include significant investments in infrastructure projects for highways and roads, airports, land ports of entry and public lands - investments that will create millions of new jobs while laying a strong foundation for future economic growth. We encourage House and Senate negotiators to work quickly to reconcile any differences in the stimulus packages and send a final bill to President Obama,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
"While we are disappointed that neither version of the stimulus package includes language to create a nationally-coordinated travel promotion campaign that communicates U.S. security and entry policies and welcomes more overseas visitors to the United States, we look forward to continuing our work with Congress and President Obama on the issue. Attracting more visitors will create more U.S. jobs, increase state, local and federal tax revenues and strengthen America's image around the world. We also pledge to support efforts in Congress to accelerate investments in a modern air traffic control system to restore the confidence of American travelers in a reliable domestic air travel system."
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry.
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