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Partnership would lure tourists from overseas
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Byron Dorgan
Co-author of Travel Promotion Act of 2009
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STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Updated: Apr. 10, 2012 | 9:14 a.m.
WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted last week to create a nonprofit corporation that would market the United States as a tourist destination for travelers around the world.
Senators voted 79-19 for the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, their first substantive vote after returning from summer recess.
Sponsors said the corporation, a public-private partnership, would snare the United States a larger share of international visitors through coordinated advertising campaigns.
They said the promotions would produce an estimated $4 billion in benefits and create nearly 40,000 jobs.
U.S. tourism, a leading industry in virtually ever state, has lost about 20 percent of the international market since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
"All of the data tells us that in the last nine years, global travel has increased by 56 million more people ... and that during the same time, the United States has actually had 633,000 fewer overseas visitors," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., a co-author of the bill.
The bill would authorize $10 million in startup funds.
In future years, it would authorize the government to match up to $100 million a year in private contributions. The government's share would come from a $10 fee levied on foreign travelers as they enter the United States.
Opponents challenged the need for a new government body, and the idea of a $10 fee on tourists.
"Now there is a way to attract more visitors: Charge them for coming here," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
He said the European Union and other nations might retaliate against Americans traveling overseas.
The bill now goes to the House.
Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., voted for the bill.
CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION GRANTS APPROVED
The House voted 311-107 to set aside an open-ended amount of funding to renew programs to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
The National Park Service would be authorized to continue awarding grants for efforts in six states to promote wetlands conservation, and create historic sites and nature trails in the estuary that has been stressed by pollution.
The program has been authorized to spend $3 million annually since it was created in 1998. The new bill removes the cap on funding, allowing lawmakers to set limits for each year.
Supporters said the bill would help sustain a natural resource treasure. Critics said support should not be open-ended.
Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., said programs typically are renewed for five years at a time to ensure that managers remain accountable.
"I don't believe .... this Congress should be in the habit of granting eternal life and unlimited sums of money to government programs," he said.
Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., said the purpose of the permanent extension "is to avoid having to return to Congress every five years to get new legislation for what is, by all measures, a successful program."
Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus, both D-Nev., voted for the bill.
Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against it.
Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault @stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.
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Wow 4 billion in benefits and a whopping 40,000 low paying jobs.
Man great work congress you allowed 4 million jobs to go overseas losing a huge tax base for federal/state governments and you call this a good program.
How about bringing jobs back and creating a much bigger benefit and bigger domestic tourism?
Na, why do that, that would me representing citizens and doing some good.
Great, I’ll bet with the government we’ve had for the last twenty years you know domestic tourism in Washington is down.
Who wants to see these scum bags in government, plus we are all stinky tourist to them.
WE MUST ELIMINATE THIS SOCIALIST PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE WE TURN INTO RUSSIA OR EAST BOHEMIA OR SOMEPLACE BAD LIKE THAT:
WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted last week to create a nonprofit corporation that would market the United States as a tourist destination for travelers around the world.
Senators voted 79-19 for the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, their first substantive vote after returning from summer recess.