U.S. Congressman Cliff Stearns (FL06)- Press Release

WASHINGTON, APRIL 30, 2003 - Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee, today held a hearing titled "Travel and Tourism in America Today." Today, he also wrote a letter to Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans in support of creating a Presidential Advisory Council on Travel and Tourism to help the industry. "Beginning with our hearing less than one month after the horrific events of September 11th, I have been examining the state of the U.S. travel and tourism industry," stated Stearns. " Since the terrorist attacks, the industry has faced other challenges such as the war in Iraq and most recently the SARS epidemic."

Stearns outlined the importance of travel and tourism," The industry employs, directly and indirectly, nearly one in seven Americans, some 18 million people. It generates over $500 billion in economic activity each year, and is one of the top three industries in 29 states, including my state of Florida."

James May, President & CEO of the Air Transportation Association of America, underscored the state of the industry by noting, "half of the jobs lost in the economy since 9/11 have been in the travel and tourism sector." The President of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, J. Clark Robinson, pointed out, "Events of the past 19 months have exacerbated a ten-year decline in foreign visitors."

International visitors to the United States are an important part of the industry, spending four times as much as domestic travelers. As Stearns stated, "The travel and tourism industry has consistently been the largest contributor to our balance of trade surplus in services. Yet, this surplus has steadily fallen from the high of $26 billion in 1996 to $8.6 billion in 2001.

Witnesses representing various entities within the travel and tourism industry lauded Stearns support for creating Presidential Advisory Council on Travel and Tourism. In addition, the witnesses voiced support for the $50 million appropriated by Congress for marketing the United States as an international destination, a move supported by Stearns. However, Stearns noted, "Spain, with an economy of less than 5 percent of our economy, spent $150 million promoting itself as an international travel destination. Other steps advocated by the witnesses included fully restoring the business meal and entertainment tax deduction, and restoring the spousal travel deduction. "I plan to examine legislative solutions to assist this industry that is a vibrant force in our economy," concluded Stearns.