Congressional Majority Now Supports Delahunt-Blunt Travel Bill

06/25/2008

WASHINGTON, DC – Legislation sponsored by US Rep. Bill Delahunt and Minority Whip Roy Blunt to address the steep decline in overseas visitors to the United States now has the support of more than half the members of the House of Representatives.

Delahunt and Blunt today announced that the “Travel Promotion Act,” introduced nine months ago, has garnered its 218th House cosponsor – giving the bill a real boost toward enactment this year.  Putting the bill over the milestone is Rep. Silvestre Reyes, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, one of 17 chairmen and ranking members of House committees and subcommittee to cosponsor the bill.  Since then, 5 more House colleagues announced their support, bringing the total number to 223.

At no cost to US taxpayers, the Delahunt-Blunt bill would authorize a coordinated campaign to promote travel to the United States and to communicate US visitor entry and security policies abroad.  These efforts would be funded by the private sector and a modest fee paid by travelers from countries benefiting from the Visa Waiver Program.

“The foreign press has become an echo chamber for horror stories – some true, some not – about the ordeal of legal entry to the United States,” Delahunt said.  “As a result, foreign visitors are staying away in droves – and not just tourists, but also travelers who want to come here for business, education or medical treatment.”

Statistics show that overseas travelers are avoiding the United States. Two million fewer visited in 2007 than in 2000 – even though the global travel market is growing and even though the low value of the dollar should make the US an attractive destination. Since the September 2001, the decline in foreign visitors has cost America nearly $140 billion in lost visitor spending, $22 billion in lost tax receipts and 230,000 lost U.S. jobs.

“Once people from around the world come to the United States, they want to come back,” Blunt said. “But right now, for many potential visitors, they are wary of visiting our country given the heightened security that travelers confront when they arrive here. That’s why this bill is so important, so we can make clear that we welcome and want people to visit the United States.” 

“This bill is imperative both for local economic development and for our nation’s global image,” said Delahunt, who represents the world-class tourist region of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.  In addition, the Congressman serves as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee and has held a series of 10 hearings this year alone on the deteriorating reputation of the Untied States around the world.  One of these hearings focused on the negative perceptions of US visa and entry policies – and the impact of these perceptions on travel and tourism across America.

The Delahunt-Blunt bill seeks to boost the economy and strengthen America’s image abroad without costing taxpayers a penny.  The measure enjoys the vigorous support of the Conference of Mayors and US Olympic Committee as well as key players in the travel and tourism industry.   A Senate companion bill (S. 1616) has been cosponsored by 47 U.S. Senators and has been reported out of the Committees on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

 

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