TRIP Act
The Travel Regional Investment Partnership (TRIP) Act, was introduced Feb. 24, 2010 in the House of Representatives (H.R.4676) and April 19, 2010 in the Senate (S.3225). This bill will provide US$50 million in matching grants to destination marketing organizations and their strategic partners to promote domestic regional tourism.
The main purpose of the TRIP Act is to stimulate more jobs and revenue through domestic tourism. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide US$10 million annually in matching grants for five years to convention and visitor bureaus, state tourism offices and regional tourism organizations. These entities can work with others in the tourism sector in their proposals, which will be measured by job creation, travel expenditures and taxes generated. Grants awarded under this bill may be used to promote domestic regional tourism growth and create new domestic tourism markets.
Grants shall be at least US$100,000 and not more than US$1,000,000. The recipient shall provide, either directly or through donations from public or private entities, non-Federal matching funds, in cash or in-kind, in an amount equal to the amount of the grant. Not more than 25 percent of the matching funds may be provided through in-kind contributions.
NTA urges its members and strategic partners to contact their U.S. representatives and their U.S. Senators to become co-sponsors of the bill. Representatives should contact Tom Tucker in Representative Farr's office to be added to the co-sponsor list. Senators may contact James Feldman of Senator Begich's office to be added to the co-sponsor list. Additional information can be obtained by contacting NTA Public Affairs Advocate Steve Richer at NTAwashington@gmail.com.
Click here to read NTA's official press release about the House version of this bill, including how this act will help the economy.
Matching grants for DMOs was one of the top legislative priorities identified at the December 2008 Economic Summit on Travel and Tourism held in Washington, D.C., with more than 40 travel sector organizations participating. The passage of the Travel Promotion Act was another of the top issues designated. Those priorities were sent to President Obama and the leaders of Congress at that time.