Friday, August 23, 2024 The U.S. Travel Association hosted a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour on Thursday, August 15, featuring U.
S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor and over 20 travel and business leaders from the Tampa Bay area. The event highlighted the significant impact of travel on the local community and businesses.
“Travel is critically important for communities like the Tampa Bay area, which rely on travel to power their economy and workforce,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy .
“We appreciate the opportunity to join Congresswoman Castor for a discussion on how Congress can further support the growth of travel to her district and throughout the United States, as well as the leadership of Visit Tampa Bay, who were instrumental in bringing us together.” “Travel and tourism lift communities across America, and we want international visitors to feel welcome and enjoy their travel experience,” said Congresswoman Castor . “Improvements to security lines, visas and infrastructure are a top priority for the traveling public.
Across the Tampa Bay area, travelers boost our local economy to the tune of over $8 billion in travel spending and over 45,000 jobs, so it’s vital that we make modern investments to keep visitors coming back to our beautiful beaches, special events and unique neighborhoods. Safe and fun visits are a win-win-win for travelers, the Tampa Bay economy, local businesses, and workers.” “We are fortunate to have true champions of our local tourism and hospitality industry in Congresswoman Castor and partner organizations like U.
S. Travel,” said Santiago C. Corrada, the President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay .
“Their support, along with Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, has been critical in creating positive impacts to our local economy and generating $535 million in state and local taxes.” Key discussions focused on essential issues such as the urgent need to reduce wait times for U.S.
visitor visas, particularly for first-time applicants, where delays average over 280 days in key visa-requiring countries. The group also emphasized the importance of reducing wait times at U.S.
Customs for travelers at major gateway airports. The conversation extended to the necessity of permanently expanding the H-2B worker visa program, which is vital for small and seasonal businesses relying on temporary workers. Additionally, participants discussed the advantages of implementing facial identity verification technology at TSA checkpoints, the need for full funding of the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism, and the critical role of Brand USA, the official destination marketing organization for the United States.
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