TEMECULA, Calif.— The U.S. Travel Association conducted a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour with U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa and more than 20 Temecula Valley travel and business leaders on Monday, August 5, demonstrating the tangible impact that travel has on the local region and businesses.
“Travel is critically important for communities like the Temecula Valley, which rely on travel to power their economy and workforce,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy. “We appreciate the opportunity to join Congressman Issa 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 Visit Temecula Valley, who were instrumental in bringing us together.”
“Our Southern California home is blessed to be a premier destination of choice year after year for visitors from across the country and around the world. But how do we keep it that way? Through partnerships and alliances like the U.S. Travel Association and Visit Temecula Valley as we approach a once-in-a-generation opportunity to host a marquee event at LA28: The Games of the XXXIV Olympiad,” said Congressman Darrell Issa. “We can’t wait to team up and showcase Temecula and Galway Downs as the home of the Olympics equestrian competition, so let’s welcome the world and show our very best.”
"Visit Temecula Valley was honored to host Congressman Darrell Issa for an important conversation with more than 20 local tourism stakeholders," said Scott A. Wilson, CEO and President of Visit Temecula Valley. "Tourism is vital to our local economy. It attracts more than 3 million visitors, generates more than $1.1 billion in visitor spending, and creates approximately 9,500 jobs.
“As we begin preparations to host the Equestrian Competition of the 2028 Summer Olympics, we're grateful to have the support of our partners at U.S. Travel as well as Congressman Issa to help spearhead federal support of local tourism and generate continued investment within our community.”
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 300 days on average in key visa-requiring markets – as well as reducing wait times for travelers at U.S. Customs at gateway airports.
Participants also discussed the 2028 Summer Olympics, as the Equestrian Competition will be held in the Temecula Valley; 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.