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U.S. Commerce Secretary Speaks on Importance of Travel to U.S. Economy Secretary Locke Addresses World's Largest Gathering of International Travel Professionals, Encourages Travel to the United States Locke: "We are committed to removing barriers to the growth of tourism exports." Thursday, May 21, 2009

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U.S. Travel Association

The U.S. Travel Association today welcomed Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke as the keynote speaker at "International Pow Wow 2009," the world's largest convention of international travel professionals. Secretary Locke addressed nearly 5,0000 attendees, including 2,000 travel professionals responsible for booking 90 percent of U.S. international inbound travel.

"Secretary Locke understands that travel is the economic stimulus America needs," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "Overseas visitors spend an average of $4,500 per person, per trip, creating jobs and economic opportunity in communities across America.  Secretary Locke further demonstrated today that the Obama Administration shares our commitment to increasing travel to and within the United States."

International travel professionals are meeting in Miami, Florida at a critical time for America's economy.  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, international travel to the United States declined by 10 percent in the first quarter of 2009.  The United States continues to welcome fewer overseas visitors than it did prior to September 11, 2001, despite an increase of 48 million new long-haul travelers around the world.

The "Travel Promotion Act," S. 1023, which is expecting a vote today in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, would help to reverse the decline in overseas travel by creating a public-private campaign to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and better communicate U.S. security policies. Oxford Economics, an international economic consulting firm, projects that travel promotion would yield $4 billion in new economic stimulus and $321 million in new federal tax revenue each year.

 The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel's mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.