Ensign’s Bill Would Encourage Travel to the United States, Stimulate Economy

Senator John Ensign’s legislation to encourage travel to the United States took a major step forward today and is one step closer to becoming law.  In the Commerce Committee, Ensign secured overwhelming bipartisan support for the Travel Promotion Act, which would create tens of thousands of jobs and boost tourism across the country and in Nevada.

 “This bill is modeled after programs already in place in many developed countries, so this levels the global playing field,” said Ensign.  “For a traveler to the United States, this public-private partnership would promote the United States as the premier international tourist attraction that it is and educate travelers about necessary security measures.”

The Travel Promotion Act establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a top international travel destination and provide information on U.S. security and entry policies.  Travel promotion under this plan would be paid for by private sector contributions and user fees charged to international visitors, not by American taxpayer dollars. 

 “Nevada’s economy relies on tourism, and with so many Nevada families struggling, now is the time to send the Travel Promotion Act to the president’s desk,” said Ensign.  “This means jobs at a time when we have double-digit unemployment.”

According to the U.S. Travel Association, this legislation would create 40,000 new American jobs.  Overseas visitors spend an average of $4,500 per person, per trip to the United States, and a study by Oxford Economics estimates that this plan would attract 1.6 million new international visitors annually.

Ensign authored this bill with Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and the legislation awaits a vote on the Senate floor.