U.S. Travel Association Applauds U.S. Representative Sam Farr for Introducing TRIP Act Legislation

March 12, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Travel Association today applauded U.S. Representative Sam Farr’s introduction of legislation to increase domestic tourism and urged others in Congress to support his legislation.  The Travel Regional Investment Partnership (TRIP) Act, H.R. 4676 creates a matching grant program in the U.S. Department of Commerce that will promote domestic tourism through local and regional partnerships between convention and visitors bureaus and other community tourism entities, such as parks, resorts and other attractions.  The competitive matching grants will range from $100,000 to $1 million.

Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association president and CEO, cited the TRIP Act as “a great vehicle to take advantage of travel’s enormous power to stimulate the economy and create jobs in our local communities.”

“Domestic tourism accounts for more than 80 percent of the $770 billion spending annually in the United States and provides a great opportunity for our people to experience the enormous diversity and extraordinary beauty of our country,” Dow said.  “Because many of our communities have suffered during the challenging economic times the past few years, these partnership grants provide a valuable opportunity to spur more visitors, create more jobs and help our communities thrive.

“Congressman Sam Farr’s leadership on this bill and many other travel-related issues demonstrates his understanding of the vast benefits travel and tourism provide to our local communities.”

Contact:
Kristy Chandler 202-408-2172
Cathy Keefe 202-408-2183

The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $770 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel’s mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. U.S. Travel is proud to be a partner in travel with American Express. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.