[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 2579

                                 ______


                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 1996

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 
2579, the Travel and Tourism Partnership Act of 1995. The tourism 
industry makes up an enormous part of our economy, and in fact, it is 
our Nation's second largest employer. This industry also generates a 
total of $58 billion in taxes for our Federal, State, and local 
governments annually. The revenue generated by travel and tourism has 
made it our nations leading export. Additionally, the revenue that's 
been generated by domestic and international tourists has helped to 
ease the tax burden for American households. In past years the U.S. 
tourism industry has grown, while enhancing the economic prosperity of 
communities and cities from across the Nation, resulting in secure jobs 
and thriving businesses.
  The travel industry has exploded worldwide, to the point where it now 
employs 10 percent of the global work force. And it continues to grow--
at a rate 23 percent faster than the world's economy. In a competitive 
market like this, the United States cannot afford to fall behind in its 
attraction of world tourists. This was the impetus behind the 
establishment of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration [USTTA]--
the promotion of the United States for the international traveler, as 
well as for the tourist at home. The marketing techniques used by the 
USTTA allowed this nation to dominate and remain competitive in the 
world market.
  In April of 1996, however, USTTA was closed down in an effort to save 
money. However, the cost of our actions could be greater with the loss 
of some 177,000 jobs throughout the tourism industry, as well as the 
end of organized U.S. travel promotions efforts. Since 1993, there has 
been a huge decrease in international travelers inbound for the U.S., 
while at the same time, an increase in U.S. residents traveling abroad. 
The obvious result of these trends have led to a loss of revenue, a 
loss of jobs and a loss of our ranking in the world tourism industry. 
Clearly, since the closing of the USTTA our Nation has suffered a loss 
in tourism revenue while the rest of the world benefits in an increase 
in tourism.
  New York State alone generated $4.8 billion in tax revenue collected 
from international and domestic tourists, in 1993. Along with the 
revenue generated, there are 357,000 New York jobs that are supported 
by these tourists. Obviously, the tourism industry is an important 
source of revenue for the State of New York, collecting 11 percent of 
the $58 billion generated in the United States overall from the 
international traveler.
  Simply put, we need to attract international tourists back to the 
beautiful sites our country has to offer, while steering them toward 
use of U.S. companies. This is why I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
2579--already cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 246 Members--to 
establish a U.S. National Tourist Organization. The organization will 
advise the President and Congress on policies that will increase U.S. 
competitiveness in the global arena, in the hopes of alluring the 
international tourist to the United States, and the American tourist 
back home.

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