Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Travel Association has launched a new campaign to make elected officials across the country aware of travel’s broad and significant economic contributions.
Travel Blitz will be led by U.S. Travel Association members and their employees and will seek to build long-term relationships with members of Congress and their staff on key issues facing the industry in the years ahead. Priorities include visa reform, customs and entry issues, the importance of government meetings, and a focus on transportation and infrastructure issues to meet forecasted demand.
“Those of us closest to our industry know the critical role travel plays in our nation’s economic health, but we must spread that important message to every Member of Congress,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Travel Blitz will activate travel grassroots advocates to engage key members of Congress and tell personal stories about how travel contributes to the economy and how it provides important jobs throughout communities nationwide.”
The campaign encourages its members to host industry roundtables in their states and districts with local leaders and travel employees; provide back-of-the-house tours at hotels, airports, and conventions centers; and share data and research on travel’s contributions to the economy with Congressional members.
“This campaign is a yearlong, multifaceted effort,” said Candace Knezevic, director, of grassroots and industry relations for the U.S. Travel Association. “Success is really dependent on our members and the travel community’s engagement. We’re providing the playbook and the tools to get involved, but it is up to the industry to run the plays.”
