NTA Priority Issues
NTA believes that its members and the industry will benefit from a legislative climate that creates a fair and level playing field for the travel industry.
Here's how we are making it happen...
2009 NTA Priority Issues
The Creation of an Executive Office of Travel and Tourism and federal lands funding are two of the seven issues approved by the NTA Board of Directors for priority advocacy emphasis in 2009.
Other issues noted for special attention include the need for grants and loans for state, regional and local travel and tourism development; funding for federal lands; the creation of more user-friendly visa procedures and processes; the passage of Highway Reauthorization legislation; and the re-examination of travel bans. Additional legislation to promote travel and tourism promotion and development, such as the Travel Promotion Act of 2008, will also be a priority for association activity when such legislation is introduced.
These priorities, which were developed through member survey feedback and recommendations from the Public Affairs Committee, also coordinate with the recommendations from the Dec. 16 Economic Summit.
While seven issues have been designated for priority attention, NTA's advocacy efforts will not be limited to those issues. NTA's government relations team will continue to monitor legislation impacting state and local tourism promotional budgets and assist members wherever possible.
Establishment of an Executive Office of Travel and Tourism
- The United States is the only industrialized nation without a national, coordinated effort to promote travel and tourism.
- The creation of an Executive Office of Travel and Tourism would coordinate federal programs and issues related to travel and tourism.
- Overall federal tourism promotion, development and communication on travel/tourism issues would be enhanced by an Executive Office of Travel and Tourism.
- Current Status: This top recommendation has been submitted to the White House and has drawn some Congressional interest. No specific action has been taken.
Federal Grants and Loans for Travel & Tourism Development at the Regional, State and Local Levels
- Creation of new grant opportunities for marketing, tourism development and promotion in order to create jobs, preserve and enhance cultural areas and create educational and training opportunities for tourism-related jobs,
- A study a study conducted by Longwoods International for Travel Michigan showed that for every $1 spent on tourism promotion:
- $40.29 in spending is generated at Michigan businesses
- $2.82 in tax revenue is generated by the state
- Current Status: U. S. Representative Sam Farr (D-California), Co-chair of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus, has expressed interest in reintroducing a bill that will give matching grants to qualified tourism entities, as outlined in the proposal. Farr and former Representative and Caucus Co-chair Jon Porter had such a bill in the 110th Congress.
Provision of Funding for Federal Lands
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1), passed by the House of Representatives on January 28, contains $3.1 billion for infrastructure projects on federal lands including improvements to visitor facilities, road and trail restoration, preservation of buildings of cultural and historic importance, rehabilitation of abandoned mines and oil fields, and environmental cleanup projects. The Senate version of the legislation contains approximately $3.4 billion.
- NTA supports funding for infrastructural improvements on public lands and the creation of up-to-date visitor services.
- NTA also supports expanding the capacity of federal lands agencies to create and coordinate volunteer efforts on public lands.
The Creation of More User-Friendly Visa Regulations and Procedures for Easing U.S. Entry/Exit Systems
- Foreign visitors to the U.S. have ranked the entry experience as the worst in the world.
Passing Highway Reauthorization, including Tourism Development Projects
- An efficient, modern transportation system enhances the travel experience and the United States' ability to handle international visitors.
- The federal government should not restrict travel on the basis of political ideology.
The Travel Promotion Act of 2008 (H.R. 3232, S. 1661)
- NTA supported the passage of the Travel Promotion Act of 2008. The measure passed the House and was introduced in the Senate. Such legislation is not currently under Congressional consideration, but NTA strongly supports efforts to increase federal promotion of the travel/tourism industry.