Washington, D.C., 2013-01-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — In a firm acknowledgement of the powerful contributions that travel makes to the country’s economy, President Obama announced a goal of attracting 100 million international travelers to the U.S. by 2021 on January 19, 2012. In the year since that announcement, strong progress has been made both through an executive order establishing a National Travel and Tourism Strategy, and through a series of improvements to visa issuance.
“Since President Obama’s call for a National Travel and Tourism Strategy a year ago, we have seen tremendous progress in facilitating international travel to the United States,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “As travel demand to the United States continues to increase, we must sustain the remarkable progress that has been made this past year.”
With the launch of Brand USA’s international campaign to encourage increased international visitation to the United States and an improved, streamlined visa process, the U.S. is seeing increased demand in the global travel market. In Brazil, for instance, visa applications in 2012 rose by 37 percent.
Additional achievements for 2012 include:
Another top priority included in the President’s strategy is increasing efforts to expand the VWP, which strengthens national security while encouraging legitimate overseas visitors. Preserving and expanding the VWP will create jobs and bolster our economy by welcoming millions of new international visitors to the United States. For example, if Brazil and Chile were admitted to the VWP, it would likely double visitation quickly from these countries, thus generating $10.3 billion in export revenues and supporting 95,100 American jobs.
While legislation called the JOLT Act was introduced in the previous Congress, it faced several hurdles in gaining passage that were not overcome. Similar legislation will soon be introduced in the 113th Congress that will play a key role in reducing these barriers.
“We must solidify the gains of the past year, either through Executive Branch oversight or by codifying new best-practice standards implemented this last year into law,” said Dow. “We congratulate the President on a strong, travel-focused year, and we look forward to working with him to reach a goal of 100 million international travelers visiting the United States by 2021.”
Contact:
Cathy Keefe 202.408.2183
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry that generates $1.9 trillion in economic output and supports 14.4 million jobs. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States.
DELHI, 2025-Mar-06 — /Travel PR News/ — South India, known for its rich cultural heritage,… Read More
Santa, Ana, IL, 2025-Mar-06 — /Travel PR News/ — While making a reservation, ensure your… Read More
Mashatu, Botswana, 2025-Mar-05 — /Travel PR News/ — From 6th to 12th June 2025,… Read More
Ol Lentille, Laikipia, Kenya, 2025-Mar-05 — /Travel PR News/ — Travel Promoters is delighted… Read More
NEW DELHI, 2025-Mar-05 — /Travel PR News/ — Tucked away in the heart of Northeast… Read More
Illinois, United States, 2025-Mar-05 — /Travel PR News/ — Aeromexico name change policy permits name change… Read More
This website uses cookies.