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>Current News
Click here for the most recent news.
 Roger Dow Submits Written Testimony to House Subcommittee
Dow calls for swift implementation of the Visa Waiver Program reforms that will improve U.S. diplomacy and boost America's travel economy. Click here for the release.
 Discover Great American Traditions During 25th Annual National Tourism Week
Join hundreds of cities, states and businesses nationwide May 10 - 18 in the annual salute to travel and tourism in America. Click here to learn more.
 Gas Prices Not Likely To Affect Summer Travel Plans
Six of ten Americans who are currently planning a trip will not change their travel plans due to the increase in the price of gas. Click here for the release.
 New TIA Resource on the Benefits of Travel
To help raise awareness of the tremendous benefits of travel, TIA created a new area, www.TIA.org/Benefits, to provide information on the many ways that travel is good for the individual.
 New Website Details the Economic Power of Travel
PowerofTravel.org is a first-of-its-kind, interactive website that details the economic power of travel from the international level to individual congressional districts.
 TIA Committed to Secure Air Exit System
TIA will rally the travel community toward the quick implementation of a biometric air exit plan that meets the Department of Homeland Security's goals and does not add new burdens to the air travel process. Click here for the release.
TIA Pledges to Lead Discussion on Air Travel Reform
TIA called on the three remaining presidential candidates to issue detailed plans to improve the air travel process during their term in office. Click here for the release.
 Sir Richard Branson Receives Steve Fossett Innovation Award at TravelCom'08
The Founder and President of Virgin Atlantic Airways received the award during TIA's TravelCom'08. To learn more about TravelCom, click here.
 Travel Community Calls for Communications Campaign of New Border Policy
TIA expressed concern about the communication of new rules issued by the Department of Homeland Security regarding documents needed to cross the U.S.-Canada border. For the release, click here.
Travel Community Praises Expansion of the Visa Waiver Program
 TIA praised the Department of Homeland Security for expanding and strengthening the Visa Waiver Program by signing memoranda of understanding (MOU) with the nations of Slovakia, Lithuania, and Hungary. The MOUs are the first steps toward enabling their citizens to travel to the United States securely without a visa. Click here.
TIA's Policy Council Discussed Public Affairs Agenda
 The inaugural meeting of TIA's Policy Council took place in Washington, DC this week. Representatives from a diverse mix of states, destination marketing organizations and companies discussed inbound international strategy, domestic travel facilitation and the impact of climate change on our industry. The Policy Council helps shape and prioritize TIA's public affairs agenda.
U.S. Welcomes 2 Million Fewer Overseas Visitors in 2007 Than in 2000
The U.S. continues to see a decline in overseas arrivals despite a boom in international travel and a favorable exchange rate. The Travel Promotion Act would help reverse the decline by establishing a nationally coordinated travel promotion campaign at no cost to the American taxpayer. Click here for the release.
 2008 Odyssey Awards Call for Entries
The TIA Odyssey Awards, presented in partnership with National Geographic Traveler, recognize the highest achievements worldwide in the travel and tourism industry. Click here to learn more.
 State Tourism Directors Conduct Annual Spring Forum in Washington, DC
Over 30 state tourism directors, including Liz Chewning, Travel Director, West Virginia Division of Tourism, met in Washington, DC for the annual NCSTD Spring Forum. TIA staff gave updates on association priorities and the directors discussed common issues during the two day business meeting.
TIA's Travel Action Kit Provides Tools to Support the Travel Promotion Act
The Travel Promotion Act (TPA), legislation that would help the U.S. welcome millions of additional visitors annually, must pass Congress by this October. Contact your lawmaker to show support for the TPA. Click here to access the February Travel Action Kit.
 Sir Richard Branson Will Accept Steve Fossett Innovation Award at TravelCom '08
Sir Richard Branson, Founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group Companies, will be presented the first-ever Steve Fossett Innovation Award at TravelCom '08 in Chicago. To view the release, click here. Click here to learn more about TravelCom.
TIA & TBR Urge DHS to Alter January 31 WHTI Roll-Out Plan
Reiterating their support for WHTI but citing concerns about insufficient communications and upcoming document reforms, the travel community called on DHS to modify its proposed interim procedures scheduled to start on January 31. To view the release, click here.
TIA Lauds Federal Advisory Panel Recommendation to Launch U.S. Travel Promotion Campaign
 TIA today welcomed the recommendation by leading business and academic experts that the U.S. should launch an international promotion campaign to better communicate U.S. travel policies and attract more international visitors. The Secure Borders and Open Doors Advisory Committee, created by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security in 2006, identified poor communication as one of the leading causes of the 17 percent decline in overseas visitation to the U.S. since September 11, 2001. Click here for the full statement.
Travel Community Urges President Bush to Include Travel Promotion Act in Economic Stimulus Package
The Chairs of TIA and TBR also called on President Bush to include the Travel Promotion Act in an economic stimulus package. Their letter highlights the critical role overseas travel to the United States can play in strengthening the American economy. For more details, click here.
TIA Launches "Change the Debate" Campaign
 To call the attention of the presidential candidates to critical travel issues, TIA launched the "Change the Debate" campaign on January 10. Billboards running in Columbia and Myrtle Beach proclaim "South Carolina Wants a President Who Will Stand Up For Travel." Roger Dow, President and CEO of TIA, was also in South Carolina meeting with local media prior to the January 10 presidential debate. Click here for the full press release.
New Survey Reveals Voters Want Presidential Candidates to Make Travel Issues a Priority
TIA and TBR Commend DHS on New Standards for Secure Driver's Licenses
Click here for the release.
TIA Learns Passport Alternative Available
The Associated Press reports that the State Department will begin accepting applications on February 1 for passport cards as alternatives to passports for Americans who travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The wallet size cards will be cheaper than a regular passport: $45 for adults and $35 for children. Adults who already have passports will have to pay $20 for the card. The passport cards will be accepted for land and sea crossings between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda but not for flights. Click here for more information.
Congress Passes Key Travel Provisions
Congress passed major spending legislation before the winter recess that addressed several top priorities of the travel industry to strengthen security and improve the U.S. welcome of international visitors. TIA President and CEO Roger Dow said the action demonstrates "that Congress increasingly understands the importance of attracting international visitors to our country." Click here for full release.
Commerce Agreement to Boost Visits from China
 The U.S. Department of Commerce announced an agreement with China to facilitate more group travel by Chinese citizens to the U.S. It also permits U.S. destinations to market themselves in China. TIA President and CEO Roger Dow lauded the successful negotiations by Commerce Secretary Gutierrez saying that the agreement "ensures a bright future for Chinese travel to the U.S." Click here for a release.
Bush Announces Plan to Reduce Holiday Air Traffic Congestion and Delays
 The travel industry applauds President Bush's announcement Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense will take steps to reduce air traffic congestion and delays at airports during the holiday travel season. The President's plan includes the opening of two lanes of restricted military airspace from Florida to Maine to commercial airlines, creating a Thanksgiving express lane, between Wednesday and Sunday next week. Click here for press release.
TIA and TBR Announce Intent  to Combine Forces
Efforts to unify the travel industry to create an even stronger voice with policymakers took a step forward recently when TIA, the Travel Business Roundtable and the Discover America Partnership announced their intentions to become a single organization in 2009. The three organizations cited emerging new threats that could exacerbate an already challenging operating environment, including: diminished travel due to a troublesome TSA process and an antiquated air traffic system; bad tax policies that redirect funds away from industry facilities and marketing efforts; and burdensome new environmental regulations modeled off policies adopted in Europe. For further information, click here.
First-Ever Summit of Chinese and U.S. Tourism Officials
For the first time in the history of both nations, 29 leading Chinese tourism officials met with more than three dozen U.S. state tourism directors during a day-long summit in Charlotte, NC, to explore ways for the two countries to increase cooperation on travel-related matters. Events ended with both parties signing the "Initiative on Establishment of China-U.S. Strategic Cooperation Framework in Tourism." Click here for highlights of the Summit.
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