WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus co-chairs Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) released the following statements in response to the President’s speech on tourism at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. today.
Farr statement:
“Baseball is America’s pastime and we have exported our love of the game to every corner of the globe. That international passion has inspired fans from all over the world to flock to the Baseball Hall of Fame to pay homage to the legends of the sport, bringing with them tourist dollars to support small businesses in Cooperstown. This story is not unique to just upstate New York. From the majestic Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to the pristine beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast, communities throughout America have their own hall of fame places that offer unique appeal to foreign visitors. Thanks to the efforts of Brand USA, for the first time we are now marketing this nation’s greatest export, our tourist destinations, to the world. The effort has inspired over a million new visitors to travel to our country, injecting billions of dollars into local economies and supporting job creation in every state. I look forward to working with co-chair Bilirakis, Congressman Welch, the rest of the caucus and our friends in the Senate to send a reauthorization of Brand USA to the President’s desk for his signature. To use a bad baseball pun, the first authorization of Brand USA was a home run. Now it’s time to hit a grand slam and strengthen this already great program.”
Bilirakis statement:
“I am pleased to see the emphasis on the importance of travel and tourism is being maintained. It is fitting that today’s remarks were made at the Baseball Hall of Fame. As host to spring training and two Major League Baseball teams, Florida has a strong relationship with the sport and its economic impact. America, and Florida in particular, heavily rely on tourism and travel. Through public-private partnerships and international tourism, we can welcome travelers to our country and Florida with open arms — and thriving businesses! I love my country and my state. I hope our legislative effort to reauthorize Brand USA can show tourists from around the globe just what makes Florida and our great nation so special.”
Bilirakis and Farr, along with CTTC member Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced H.R. 4450, the Travel and Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act last month. The legislation will strengthen the United States’ competitiveness in the global travel and tourism markets by reauthorizing Brand USA – a public-private partnership designed to encourage tourism to the United States. Last year, Brand USA’s activities resulted in a $7.4 billion impact on the U.S. economy in fiscal year 2013. H.R. 4450 strengthens Brand USA by adding a number of accountability and transparency requirements.
Identical companion legislation was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)
To view a complete list of groups that support H.R. 4450, click here.
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