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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) submitted comments to Under Secretary Francisco J. Sanchez of the United States Department of Commerce. The comments are in response to a request for “Stakeholder Comments on National Travel and Tourism Strategy, 77 Federal Register 8216 (February 14, 2012). GBTA’s comments focus on the need for the government’s policy to recognize the importance of business travel as a major driver of the economy and job creation. GBTA strongly supports the objectives laid out in Executive Order 13597: Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness.
“Promotion by the Obama Administration of the significant economic and cultural value of increased travel is encouraging. It heightens the awareness of the public and media in the travel industry as a key driver of the nation’s recovery. In particular, we welcome development by the Task Force of a multi-faceted approach to increasing travel to the U.S., particularly business travel, and to growing the U.S. market share of worldwide travel.” said Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO of GBTA.
In addition to the emphasis on travel in the Executive Order, GBTA welcomes the recent travel initiatives announced by the federal government. In particular, the Final Rule to make permanent the Global Entry Program and the continuing expansion of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck Program. GBTA believes that these programs facilitate business travel to, from and within the U.S., making it easier for American companies to compete in the global marketplace.
GBTA also supports improvements to visa processing and the expansion of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). GBTA particularly would like to see the VWP expanded to include Brazil, China and other key markets. GBTA continues to press for the implementation of NextGen, modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system should be a top priority for the Administration.
"We are pleased to see the Obama Administration taking such meaningful and impactful moves for the business travel community. We hope GBTA’s comments will be an value-add to the on-going decision making and help to continue to improve the travel industry in general and the business travel industry in particular,” concluded McCormick.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
