WTTC, U.S. Travel Industry Call on Washington to Help Local Tourism

Less than 6 months after WTTC’s Global Travel & Tourism Summit held in Washington DC, where great debate was had on the need to open minds to the potential of the Travel & Tourism industry and its shifting geographical landscape, THE World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and its U.S. Members are determined to call on U.S. Government to recognize the state of the industry.

Over the past 15 years the US national economy has lost an average of $20 billion a year due to the declining status.

According to Travel Industry Association of America calculations, an investment in growth could generate an estimated 8.1 million extra foreign visitors, representing an additional $13.4 billion contribution to GDP and 153,000 more jobs for every one percent of world market share regained.

WTTC’s Manifesto for the US Travel & Tourism Industry outlines five recommendations, including the need to recognize the economic and social importance of travel and tourism at the highest levels of government.

WTTC also urged the U.S. government to work towards finding the delicate balance between security at borders and efficient travel across those borders; it is time to embrace a national marketing strategy.