Three more travel and tourism associations have joined with the National Tour Association in its call for the creation of an executive office of travel and tourism policy. Uniting with NTA and the United States Tour Operators Association, the American Bus Association, the United Motorcoach Association and the World Religious Travel Association all have signed on their support.

“The momentum is growing as NTA and its allies call attention to the importance of an executive office of travel and tourism policy,” said NTA Chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher, CTP. “This office will provide the United States with more coherent, dynamic, and world-leading travel and tourism policies generating excellent growth in this sector of the national economy.”

Victor Para, president and CEO of UMA noted that, “The entire industry needs to get behind this effort. Regardless of who the next U.S. president is, the tourism economy is vitally important to the interest of the entire country. The tourism economy deserves executive level attention and it is only appropriate to have someone in the White House designated accordingly.”

Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association said his organization also is proud to support NTA’s call for an executive office of tourism. “The tremendous economic and goodwill benefits that tourism brings to the United States are vital to our country’s interests. With the presidential campaigns in full swing, now is the time to make our unified voice heard by the candidates - and America at large.”

The American Bus Association also gives its support to the mission, and ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso said the organization is proud to be an active member of the coalition advocating the creation of an executive office of travel and Tourism policy. “On issues ranging from economic development to green tourism to security policy, motorcoaches are a critical component of America's mobility, and we will work vigorously with our coalition partners to help establish this new entity."

The National Tour Association is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals. NTA's diverse membership and progressive nature make it an industry leader as the place to do business. NTA consistently seeks innovations for the services and business tools it provides to members, and the leadership keeps its fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing world. In turn, NTA members are some of the most creative in the dynamic travel industry. NTA membership represents 34 countries, and tour and travel packagers of all types, including a group, independent, student, and more.