Travel Promotion Act

On March 4, 2010 President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act which was championed into legislation by Roger Dow, President of the U.S. Travel Association. This piece of legislation was a long time in coming as it now forms an agency to market America as a tour and travel destination worldwide.

This new agency will be funded by two sources: One from a $10 fee paid by international visitors entering USA. The second source will come from the private-sector matching funds up to $100 million. The U.S. has been behind so many countries when it comes to advertising the country to attract tourism. In 2008 when Louisville hosted the Ryder Cup we saw storefront advertising from Ireland on Fourth Street. Now finally America will be advertising as well, and none too soon as the tourism and hospitality industry continues to struggle during the recession. International visitors spend more money and stay longer so we applaud the President in signing the Travel Promotions Act and look forward to greeting more international visitors in the future.