The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed a measure with strong bipartisan support cosponsored by Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) designed to increase international travel to the United States, including Virginia’s numerous natural and historical sites. The initiative is estimated to produce $4 billion in economic benefits to local economies at no cost to the American taxpayer.
The Travel Promotion Act establishes a nationally coordinated travel promotion campaign through a public-private partnership aimed at reversing a decline in overseas travel to the United States, clarifying U.S. travel policies and improving perceptions of the process, which can often deter tourists from traveling to the United States.
“From our beaches to pristine national parks and historic battlefields, Virginia’s tourism industry is a leading driver of the Commonwealth’s economic engine,” said Senator Webb. “By encouraging international tourists to visit Virginia, the Travel Promotion Act will provide jobs to our residents and invigorate local economies.”
According to the U.S. Travel Association, visitors to Virginia spent $19.2 billion in 2007 and generated $2.6 billion in revenues for federal, state and local governments. For every $1 million spent, 11 jobs are created with the tourism industry generating approximately 215,800 jobs in the state.
“Tourism is vital to the economy, both on a state and national level,” said Alisa Bailey, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “We applaud Senator Webb for his support of the Travel Promotion Act as it will strengthen our ability to compete for visitors in the global marketplace and broaden our appeal to international travelers.”
The measure authorizes the Department of Commerce to establish the position of an Under Secretary of Travel Promotion and create an Office of Travel Promotion. The bill also creates a Corporation for Travel Promotion, an independent, nonprofit corporation, to run the travel promotion campaign. The program will be funded equally by a small fee paid by foreign travelers visiting the United States and matching contributions from the travel industry.
A strong advocate for preservation and promoting tourist activity in Virginia, Senator Webb has sponsored a number of measures to protect and expand Virginia’s battlefields and national parks, provide federal designations for historic sites, and to maintain current landmarks, including the D-Day Memorial in Bedford. He has also sought additional funding for beach restoration and infrastructure projects to facilitate travel.
To learn more about Senator Webb’s preservation efforts in Virginia, please read his column at http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record_article.cfm?id=317579.
Check out the Virginia Board of Tourism’s interactive map that highlights each of Virginia’s regions: http://www.virginia.org/site/main.asp?referrer=Virginia.
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