COLUMBUS, OHIO -
The U.S. Travel Association conducted a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour with U.S. Congressman Mike Carey and more than 20 Columbus travel and business leaders on Tuesday, August 13, adjacent to U.S. Travel’s ESTO conference (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations). The roundtable demonstrated the tangible impact that travel has on the region and its businesses.
“Travel is a cornerstone for communities like Columbus, providing jobs for local workers and boosting the nation’s global competitiveness,” said Geoff Freeman U.S. Travel Association President and CEO. “We appreciate the opportunity to join Congressman Carey for a discussion on how Congress can further support the growth of travel to his district and throughout the United States, as well as the leadership of Experience Columbus, who were instrumental in bringing us together.”
“The travel economy is an essential part of our community with visitors making more than 51 million trips each year to Greater Columbus for conventions, trade shows, sporting events and leisure visits, spending $8.2 billion and supporting more than 82,500 jobs,” said Experience Columbus President and CEO Brian Ross. “The work we do showcases Columbus not only as a great place to visit, but also a great place to live and work. This impact resonates through proud residents, excited eventgoers, inspired students and innovative business leaders discovering opportunities in our vibrant city.”
The Power Hour agenda included critical topics such as the need to lower wait times for U.S. visitor visas – especially for first-time applicants, which exceeds over 280 days on average in key markets – as well as reducing wait times for travelers at U.S. Customs at gateway airports.
Participants also discussed the need to permanently expand the H-2B worker visa program, especially in support of the small and seasonal businesses that depend on temporary workers; the benefits to travelers of innovative facial identity verification technology at TSA airport checkpoints; full funding for the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce; and the importance of Brand USA, the official destination marketing organization for the United States.
U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for more information.