WASHINGTON, 2015-2-27 — /Travel PR News/ — U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the impasse over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
“We urge leaders in both chambers of Congress to quickly arrive at a consensus that ensures DHS remains open and fully funded.
“The travel sector of the economy is strong, but fragile. Uncertainty is harmful for any business environment, but that is doubly true for travel, which depends upon the public’s confidence that our transportation modes are safe and secure. Even though basic security functions would continue in the event of a shutdown, the prospect of delayed paychecks for security personnel could cause morale problems that ripple throughout the system.
“But in addition to security, DHS performs a number of vital tasks related to travel facilitation that have helped our industry become the economy’s second-largest export and support one out of every nine American jobs. In order to effectively allocate resources, businesses in our sector crave assurance that programs like Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Customs pre-clearance negotiations and evaluations for the Visa Waiver Program will all remain online.
“Our ultimate wish is that talk of shutdowns disappear from our political culture altogether, so that businesses can focus on innovation and growth rather than wring their hands when there are storm clouds over the Beltway.”
Contact:
Cathy Keefe 202.408.2183
Jamie Morris 202.218.3621
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry that generates $2.1 trillion in economic output and supports 14.9 million jobs. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States.
Visit www.ustravel.org.