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Visa Waiver Program Officially Adds Seven Countries
Travelers from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) can now travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. It is estimated that  the expansion could bring approximately one million new visitors to the United States annually. Click here for the release.

Registration Now Open for TravelCom'09
Online registration is open for TIA's TravelCom'09, the only eCommerce conference designed by the travel industry for the travel industry.  TravelCom'09 will be in Atlanta, GA, March 31 - April 2, 2009.  Click here to learn more.

Unique National Survey Reveals Why People Travel During the Holidays
Despite current economic challenges, 60 percent of people who will travel during the holidays strongly feel the time and money spent is a small price to pay to be with people they love.  Creating memories, building relationships and traditions  were cited as important factors for holiday travelers.  Click here for the release.

TIA Forecasts Stable Leisure Travel Market Despite Rough Economy
The annual travel forecast indicates that an uncertain economic climate is leading American and global travelers to change their behaviors. Leisure travel is stable, but business travel is projected to decline and the United States is likely to be hit hard by a further decline in international arrivals. Click here for the release.

Rasulo Inducted into Travel Industry Hall of Leaders at 
TIA's Marketing Outlook Forum
James "Jay" Rasulo, Chairman of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, was inducted into the Travel Industry Hall of Leaders during the Awards Gala at TIA's Marketing Outlook Forum in Portland, Oregon.  The winners of the Odyssey Awards were also honored.  Click here to learn more about the Marketing Outlook Forum.

Visa Waiver Program Admitting Seven Countries
TIA praised the announcement that seven countries will be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program: South Korea, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.  Expanding and strengthening the VWP will help the United States welcome hundreds of thousands of new visitors annually.  Click here for the release.

TIA Applauds Enactment of Legislation that Strengthens Airport Security, Streamlines Passenger Screening
The Fiscal Year 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill includes several measures designed to strengthen U.S. security and reverse the decline in overseas travel to the United States.  Click here for the release. 

Business to Business Online Auction Now Open
TIA's first-ever online auction features items travel industry executives need: print and electronic space, research, consulting services and more.  Proceeds benefit the TIA Foundation and items will be added throughout the month - visit often and bid!The auction ends October 30 at noon eastern.  Click here.

Historic Moment for Industry:House Passes Travel Promotion Act
The Travel Promotion Act would create a public-private partnership to communicate security policies and promote the U.S. as a premier destination.  Even with this accomplishment, it still needs Senate approval.  Visit TIA's Travel Action Headquarters to contact your senators and voice your support for S. 1661, the Travel Promotion Act.  Click here to view the release.

Travel Leadership Summit Kicks Off with Hosted Evening Events, Hill Visits
Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA) met with  industry professionals during California's evening event hosted by TIA National Chair Caroline Beteta, kicking off the third annual Travel Leadership Summit.  The industry is seeking passage of the Travel Promotion Act and will advocate for other industry priorities during visits to the Hill.  TIA's Policy Council also met to identify an agenda for 2009.  Click here to learn more. 

Travel Promotion Act Clears House Committee and Moves Closer to Final Passage
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved H.R. 3232, the Travel Promotion Act, by voice vote and the bill is likely to be considered on the House floor September 24.  Click here for the release. Make your voice heard on Capitol Hill.  Visit TIA's Travel Action Headquarters and advocate for the Travel Promotion Act.

Travel Promotion Act Racing Towards Enactment with Support of Bi-Partisan Majority in Congress
With 50 Senate and 245 House co-sponsors, the "Travel Promotion Act" (S. 1661, H.R. 3232) is on the verge of enactment.  The bill would establish a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and communicate U.S. security and entry policies at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. Visit TIA's Travel Action Headquarters to learn how to contact your elected officials in support of the Travel Promotion Act.  Click here for the release.

Travel Promotion Act Advances in the House
Members of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce reported H.R. 3232, the "Travel Promotion Act," to the full committee where it was approved by voice vote.  For the full release, click here.

TIA Testifies Before Congressional Subcommittee
Pointing to the $140 billion in lost revenue from overseas travelers, Geoff Freeman stressed the need for the House and Senate to pass the Travel Promotion Act.  The bill will strengthen the U.S. economy at no cost to the American taxpayer.  Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush, IL, oversaw the hearing.  Click here for the release and click here for the testimony. 

Travel Leadership Summit Critical to Travel Promotion Act Success
Action on TPA is coming down to the last days of the Congressional session.  Come to Washington September 25 to help pass the industry's top legislative priority and participate in TIA's Travel Leadership Summit.  TLS delegates will hear the latest on the elections from Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. Register today.

TIA Applauds Better Communication of U.S. Security and Entry Policies
The television, print and online campaign of the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection educates U.S. and Canadian travelers about the new travel document requirements that go into effect June 1, 2009.  Click here to learn more.

Grade Candidate Convention Speeches with Regard to Important Travel Issues
With TIA's year long "Change the Debate" campaign and recent advertising blitz playing a critical role in placing travel issues on the radar screens of Senators Obama and McCain, voters are encouraged to grade their convention speeches with regard to important travel issues by clicking here or visiting PowerofTravel.org.

Margie Emmermann, Arizona, is 2008 State Tourism Director of the Year
Margie Emmermann, Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, was recognized as the State Tourism Director of the Year at the ESTO Awards Gala, the closing event of TIA's 25th annual ESTO in Bonita Springs, Florida. 

Industry Campaign To Engage Presidential Candidates
TIA's "Change the Debate" campaign moved to the party conventions with print ads in key markets sending presidential candidates the message, "We are watching." Click here to see the first ads and here to see news stories about the campaign.

ESTO Celebrates 25 Years
Bonita Springs, Florida, hosts more than 400 destination marketing professionals for three days of education and networking at TIA's 25th annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations, August 23-26. 

New Survey Reveals Staycations Planned by Fewer than One in Ten Travelers
The TIA/Ypartnership travelhorizons™ survey of U.S. adult travelers reveals that only 9 percent are planning a "staycation," or home-based vacation, as an alternative to a vacation they otherwise would have taken out of town during the next six months.  This represents a significantly lower percentage than expected by industry analysts.  Click here for the release.

TIA Board Branding Discussion Results
Members of the TIA Board have given their approval "in form" to a new name for the organization.  The name, U.S. Travel Association, was the recommendation of a steering committee advised by branding experts.  TIA is soliciting member feedback prior to any formal decision.  Comments should be submitted by September 8.

DiscoverAmerica.com Launched in Top 5 International Markets
The first-ever official U.S. travel and tourism website has launched in the five countries that account for 75 percent of all inbound travel to the United States: Canada (English- and French-speaking), Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany.  Click here to view the release. 

Travel Promotion Act Nears the Finish Line
The House co-sponsor total is 230 and the Senate co-sponsor total is 47.  With only a few short weeks until the end of the congressional session, TIA is urging the travel community to act now to support the Travel Promotion Act (S. 1661/H.R. 3232).  Click here to view the list of co-sponsors.

Registration Now Open for Two of TIA's Signature Events
The Travel Leadership Summit, September 24-25, unites hundreds of travel professionals to encourage action on the most pressing issues and legislation in Washington, DC. 

Portland, OR, hosts TIA's Marketing Outlook Forum, October 27-30, where travel professionals gain the vital market intelligence and insight needed to succeed in the ever evolving marketplace.

Deteriorating Air Travel Hits Small Travel Business Hardest
Roger Dow, TIA's President and CEO, and Mike Gallagher, Co-founder of CityPass, testified before the House Committee on Small Business that small travel and tourism businesses are disproportionately affected by the economic losses caused by the current air travel situation. Click here for the release.

Travel Promotion Act Gains Major Boost in the House
A bipartisan majority of the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have now co-sponsored H.R. 3232, the "Travel Promotion Act," introduced by Representatives William Delahunt (D-MA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO).  Click here for the release.

TIA Members Participate in Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus Roundtable
The roundtable discussion on travel's significance to the U.S. economy was led by co-chairs Congressmen Sam Farr (D-CA) and Jon Porter (R-NV) and included TIA's National Chair, Caroline Beteta, and Roger Dow, TIA President and CEO. Click here for the release.

TIA Welcomes First Chinese Tour Group to the United States 
Under New Agreement
Roger Dow and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez welcomed China National Tourism Administration Chairman Shao Qiwei and the first tour group. Travel to the U.S. from China is expected to skyrocket.  Click here for the release. 

TIA and American Express Join Forces on Travel Sustainability 
The organizations are developing the Travel Sustainability Initiative, a comprehensive plan to guide the travel industry in its response to assuring sustainability in travel and tourism.  Click here for the release.

Record Attendance at TIA's 40th Annual International Pow Wow
Las Vegas is host to over 5500 suppliers, buyers and journalists for the travel industry's premier international marketplace and the largest generator of Visit USA travel.

Landmark Survey Reveals Deep Frustration Among Air Travelers – 41 Million Trips Avoided, $26.5 Billion Blow to Economy
A groundbreaking survey recently commissioned by TIA found that frustration with the air travel system is growing and that this frustration is highest among those who fly the most.  In fact, 28% of air travelers avoided at least one trip over the past year due to the problems in the air travel process, costing the economy over $26.5 billion through 41 million trips that were not taken. 
 
Click here for the press release.
Click here for a one-page summary.
Click here for the detailed survey results.

Andrew Winston is International Pow Wow Monday Luncheon Speaker
Brought to you by TIA's Partner in Travel, American Express, the best-selling author and corporate environmental strategist is the featured speaker for Monday's luncheon at International Pow Wow.  Click here to learn more.

International Pow Wow Luncheon will Feature Hualapai Tribe
Hosted by Grand Canyon West, Tuesday's luncheon at International Pow Wow will feature artists, musicians, and dancers from the Hualapai Tribe.  Click here to learn more.

Travel Promotion Act Has More Than 200 Co-sponsors in the House
The legislation would create a public-private partnership to better explain U.S. security policies and attract millions of additional visitors- at no cost to U.S. taxpayers.  To learn more, click here.

Travel Industry Leaders Meet with Senator John McCain
They discussed the value of travel promotion to attract international visitors, inefficiencies in the entry process for international travelers and the growing concern over domestic air travel.  Click here for the release.

Roger Dow Celebrates National Tourism Week with Speeches in Utah and Texas
Dow emphasized the economic importance of travel and reiterated the need to make it easier for foreign visitors to travel to the United States.  Learn more about National Tourism Week.

Roger Dow Submits Written Testimony to House Subcommittee
Dow calls for swift implementation of the Visa Waiver Program reforms that will improve U.S. diplomacy and boost America's travel economy.  Click here for the release.

Discover Great American Traditions During 25th Annual National Tourism Week
Join hundreds of cities, states and businesses nationwide May 10 - 18 in the annual salute to travel and tourism in America.  Click here to learn more.

Gas Prices Not Likely To Affect Summer Travel Plans
Six of ten Americans who are currently planning a trip will not change their travel plans due to the increase in the price of gas.  Click here for the release.

New TIA Resource on the Benefits of Travel
To help raise awareness of the tremendous benefits of travel, TIA created a new area, www.TIA.org/Benefits, to provide information on the many ways that travel is good for the individual.

New Website Details the Economic Power of Travel 
PowerofTravel.org is a first-of-its-kind, interactive website that details the economic power of travel from the international level to individual congressional districts.