Administration outlines progress toward meeting inbound travel goals, travel facilitation generally.
ALEXANDRIA, VA – ASTA joined a select group of leading U.S. tourism organizations, civic leaders and Administration officials from the White House and various federal agencies at a White House Business Council forum on travel and tourism. ASTA was represented by Vice President of Government Affairs Eben Peck. Also participating was ASTA member Mickey Weill, Vice President, Sales Development at Protravel International.
“The Administration clearly recognizes the importance of travel and tourism in restoring the health of the American economy and providing jobs,” said Peck. “Ideas were exchanged with attendees on ways for the private sector, including travel agencies, to partner with the federal government on the rollout of ‘Trusted Traveler’ programs such as TSA PreCheck, facilitation of international visitation, and other issues.”
The briefing highlighted ways to promote tourism by improving customs and other border procedures that foreign visitors face when they visit the U.S. Administration officials also gave an update on the economy and discussed how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other agencies work to promote tourism while protecting our borders. Additionally, the briefing included a discussion on ways to improve the tourists’ experience by upgrading our airports and other points of entry. Discussion centered around the 2012 National Travel and Tourism Strategy, to which ASTA contributed its comments and which acknowledges the role travel agents play in the industry, including that of driving international visitors to the United States.
The Forum participants heard presentations from, among others, David Langdon, Senior Economist, U.S. Department of Commerce; Ali Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Ken Hyatt, Acting Undersecretary, International Trade Administration; Ed Ramotowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State; John Pistole, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Kevin McAleenan, Acting Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Christy Goldfuss, Deputy Director, National Park Service; Bruce Andrews, Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce; Brandon Belford, Senior Policy Advisor, National Economic Council; and Sam Brown, Director, White House Business Council.
ASTA’s invitation to the forum was the result of a March 6 meeting with Ari Matusiak, Special Assistant to the President and White House Director of Private Sector Engagement, to discuss the value that travel professionals contribute to the small business-driven national economy and to consumers.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
