110 HR 3670 IH: To direct the Secretary of State to enhance diplomatic U.S. House of Representatives 2007-09-26 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3670 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 26, 2007 Mr. Farr (for himself, Mr. Porter, Mr. Delahunt, and Mr. Blunt) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To direct the Secretary of State to enhance diplomatic relations with foreign countries and to promote domestic business interests abroad by establishing a grant program to promote international travel to the United States.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Improving Public Diplomacy through International Travel Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)The United States has experienced a 17 percent decline in overseas visitors since September 11, 2001. (2)Business travel to the United States fell 10 percent from 2004 to 2005 while Europe witnessed an 8 percent increase over this same time period. (3)The United States market share of international travel has declined from 7.5 percent before September 11, 2001, to about 6 percent in 2007. (4)The economic impact of declining United States market share has resulted in 60 million fewer travelers, 194,000 lost jobs, $94 billion in lost spending, and $15.6 billion in lost tax receipts. (5)While in 2007 the United States will spend less than $4 million on international travel promotion, currently Greece spends $151 million, Mexico spends $149 million, Australia spends $113 million, the United Kingdom spends $80 million, and Canada spends $60 million. (6)In a recent survey by the Discover America Partnership, international travelers ranked the United States as having the “world’s worst” entry process, and 66 percent of travelers in the survey feared that a simple mistake could lead to being detained for hours or worse. (7)The perception around the world is that the United States does not welcome international visitors, but that perception could be changed by adopting an international travel promotion program. (8)An international travel promotion program can expect a 6:1 return on investment. (9)An international travel promotion program can be an effective tool to enhance the United States public diplomacy efforts.

3.

Establishment of grant program

(a)

In general

In order to enhance diplomatic relations with foreign countries and promote domestic business interests abroad, the Secretary of State (in this Act referred to as the Secretary), acting through the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, shall establish a competitive grant program to promote international travel to the United States in foreign countries. (b)

Range of grant monetary amounts

No grant shall be less than $150,000 or more than $1,000,000. (c)

Use of grant funds

(1)

In general

A recipient of a grant under this Act shall use the funds to develop a promotion program focused on the overseas markets described in paragraph (2) to encourage international travel to the United States and to effectively communicate United States entry requirements, including required documentation, fees, and processes. (2)

Phase-in of markets

The promotion programs described in paragraph (1) shall target, in each of the following fiscal years that begin after the date of enactment of this Act, the following markets: (A)In the first fiscal year, Canada. (B)In the second fiscal year, Canada and Mexico. (C)In the third fiscal year, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. (D)In the fourth fiscal year, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Japan. (E)In the fifth fiscal year, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. (d)

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an entity shall prepare and submit an application at such time, in such form, and with such information and assurances as the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs may require, including a description of the populations and foreign countries targeted by the promotion program, the marketing strategy, how the entity intends to execute its promotion program, and the expected return on investment. (e)

Matching requirement

(1)

In general

As a condition of receipt of a grant under this Act, the grant recipient shall provide (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal matching funds, which may include in-kind donations of goods and services valued at their fair market rate, in an amount equal to the amount of the grant. (2)

Special rule for in-kind donations

Of the amount of non-Federal matching funds required to be provided by each grant recipient under paragraph (1), not more than 25 percent shall be provided through in-kind donations of goods and services. (f)

Reservations

The Secretary shall reserve 20 percent of the funds used to award grants under this Act for grants for promotion programs for destinations that do not currently have the resources to market themselves internationally. (g)

Reports

Not later than 6 months after the end of each fiscal year in which grants were awarded by the Secretary under this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on— (1)whether the promotion programs increased the number of international travelers from the targeted countries; (2)the return on investment analysis of the grant program; and (3)recommendations for changes in law necessary to improve communication about United States entry requirements, including required documentation, fees, and processes.

4.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

In general

There is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for grants under this Act for each of the first 5 fiscal years that begin after the date of enactment of this Act. (b)

Carry over

Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.