The U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 9 passed the Travel Promotion Act, a bill that would create a national nonprofit tourism promotion corporation for the United States “to communicate United States entry policies and otherwise promote leisure, business, and scholarly travel“ to international travelers. These travelers, which spend an average of $4,500 per person when visiting the U.S., have experienced a steep decline since 9/11. Government officials are keen to get their dollars back into the U.S. to boost the ailing economy.

The Travel Promotion Act, which would set up an Office of Travel Promotion within the U.S. Department of Commerce, is now waiting for Senate passage before landing on the desk of the president. Executive approval is expected should the bill pass a final vote in the Senate before the current congressional session adjourns.

The $10 fee has raised ire of visa waiver program participants, especially European members, which have enjoyed free entry to the U.S. and have reciprocated an open entry policy to U.S. visitors. Supporters of the Travel Promotion Act point to successful national tourism organizations in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada, which recently completed tourism campaigns that returned $64, $47 and $11, respectively, for each dollar spent.

Asked how they thought the funds might be applied, more than 53 percent of those surveyed did not venture a guess. Approximately 20 percent accurately indicated that the funds would be used to create a national travel promotion organization, while 36.5 percent accurately believed the funds would be used to communicate and streamline the U.S. security and immigration process.

Additional Resources:
U.S. Travel Promotion Act Includes $10 Fee
House OKs Travel Promotion Act, Now In Senate (2008)
Travel Promotion Act, Hope or Hype?

Download the full report for complete results:
AirPlus…The Wire November 2009 (PDF, 257 KB)