SHAHEEN AND KLOBUCHAR DISCUSS IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM INDUSTRY TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Senators join local business leaders to discuss Travel Promotion Act of 2009
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today met with local business leaders to discuss the importance of tourism to the New Hampshire and national economies. The Senators traveled to Meredith to the Inns at Mill Falls to discuss the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, which is scheduled to be the first piece of legislation the Senate considers when it returns to Washington in September. The Tourism Promotion Act would create a public-private partnership to promote tourism in the United States, particularly among international travelers.
"Tens of thousands of jobs are created and sustained through tourism, and we must do more to attract international visitors to our nation's natural wonders," said Shaheen. "The Travel Promotion Act will help cities, towns, and resort communities in New Hampshire and across the country attract more overseas travelers, and the Senate must act to pass this bill so that businesses can reap the benefits."
"Tourism creates good jobs that can't be outsourced, it increases sales for local businesses, and it brings in tax revenue for local and state economies," said Klobuchar, who oversees the Senate Subcommittee that is responsible for tourism. "We must do more to promote the U.S. as a premier travel destination. For no cost to the taxpayer, we can boost travel, boost the economy and reduce the deficit. Congress should pass the Travel Promotion Act without delay."
Also joining the Senators were Jim Morash, Captain, M/S Mount Washington, and Rusty McLear, Owner, Inns at Mill Falls.
Tourism is the second largest industry in New Hampshire in terms of jobs supported by dollars brought in from outside the state. Last year, tourism in New Hampshire supported approximately 67,000 direct full-time and part-time jobs.
The Travel Promotion Act establishes the Corporation for Travel Promotion, an independent, non-profit corporation governed by an 11-member board of directors appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. It also creates an Office of Travel Promotion in the Department of Commerce to develop programs to increase the number of international visitors to the United States.
