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September 22, 2008

 

The Honorable John Dingell Chairman Ranking Member Committee on Energy & Commerce U.S. House of Representatives 2328 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Joe Barton Ranking Member Committee on Energy & Commerce U.S. House of Representatives 2109 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

 
Dear Chairman Dingell and Congressman Barton:

As the Committee prepares to take up the Travel Promotion Act of 2007, H.R. 3232, we write to inform you that the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) supports this bill and encourages its passage.  This support is conditioned, however, with the strong encouragement that a state legislator, to be appointed by NCSL, be included on the Board of Directors for the newly created Corporation for Travel Promotion.

Travel and tourism industries are powerful economic generators in all 50 states, accounting for $740 billion in expenditures, $110 billion in local, state and federal taxes and 7.5 million jobs in 2007.  In terms of trade, travel is America’s leading service sector export, generating $107.9 billion in 2007 from international travelers.  Yet while the world travel market is expanding, the U.S. share has declined 35 percent over the past 15 years, with particular drops since the homeland security measures taken in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

Legislatures in all 50 states appreciate the economic value of travel and tourism industries and currently operate programs to promote their states to travelers domestically and internationally.  NCSL policy recognizes the importance of tourism to state economic development and service sector employment and it encourages the federal government to work collaboratively with the states to ensure the vitality of this sector of the economy.  In light of the importance of travel and tourism to state economies, state lawmakers are concerned about the dramatic effects that restrictions and impediments to cross-border travel can have on America's domestic tourism industry and we support efforts by the Congress to ensure homeland security while keeping America a welcoming and easy place for international tourists.

State legislators believe the Travel Promotion Act of 2008 will help promote travel to America to international tourists to the benefit of all states, but it is essential that the federal program work collaboratively and complimentarily with state programs.  Since state travel and tourism promotion programs operate under authority granted by and with funding provided by state legislatures, we believe that it is important for a state legislator to sit on the Corporation for Travel Promotion Board of Directors.

Thank you for focusing attention on this important economic driver.  A copy of NCSL’s policy is enclosed for your information.  If you have any questions, your staff can contact Diana Hinton Noel (202-624-7779 or diana.hinton@ncsl.org) or Paul Snow (202-624-8683 or paul.snow@ncsl.org)in NCSL’s Washington office.

 Sincerely,

 

Speaker Joe Hackney North Carolina House of Representatives President, NCSL

Donna Stone Delaware House of Representatives Immediate Past President, NCSL

Enclosure: NCSL Supports Travel Promotion and Tourism Action Calendar Resolution

CC: The Honorable Bill Delahunt, U.S. House of Representatives
       Members, House Committee on Energy & Commerce

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