Congress Works for Travel Reform

Three recent actions, a law and two bills, could bring more foreign visitors to the United States.

The most recent of the three, the Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, was signed into law by President George W. Bush in early August.

The second piece of legislation was the Travel Promotion Act of 2007 introduced in the House of Representatives. The act is similar to a bill approved by the Senate Commerce Committee in June.

The other action was the Senate's passage of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2008.

All three pieces of legislation include measures outlined in the 60-page blueprint of Discover America Partnership, an initiative to strengthen the United States' image abroad. Many tradeshow industry organizations, including the Intl. Assn. of Exhibitions & Events and the Professional Convention Management Assn., are involved in the partnership.

The new law is touted by Discover America as the "most significant travel reforms in more than a decade," according to a press release. The law includes the expansion of the U.S.'s Visa Waiver Program and will help reverse the nearly 20-percent decline in overseas travel to the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001.

The law mirrors the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act by including reform provisions that are part of Discover America's goals:

• $40 million for model ports — which would streamline the visitor entry process at the 20 top U.S. international airports — and 200 new U.S. customs and border protection officers
• establishment of an international registered traveler program, which would expedite the inspection of frequent U.S. and international travelers arriving by air in the U.S.

The Travel Promotion Act calls for the establishment of a travel promotion campaign. It would be funded by the private sector and fees on overseas travelers from select countries, and run by an independent, nonprofit corporation.