[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 36 (Thursday, February 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9032-9033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-755]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


International Trade Administration; Survey of International Air 
Travelers; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th & 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Richard Champley or Ron Erdmann, ITA's Office of Travel 
& Tourism Industries, Room 7025, 1401 Constitution Ave, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230; phone: (202) 482-0140, and fax: (202) 482-2887. 
E-Mail: [email protected] or to:

[[Page 9033]]

[email protected]. To learn more about the this research 
program, visit OTTI's Web site at: http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/research/programs/ifs/index.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The ``Survey of International Air Travelers'' program, administered 
by the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI) of the 
International Trade Administration, provides the sole source of the 
data needed to estimate international travel and passenger fare exports 
and imports, i.e., trade balance, for the United States. This Survey 
program supports the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic 
Analysis' (BEA) mandate to collect, analyze and report information used 
to calculate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Travel & Tourism 
Satellite Account for the United States. The Survey program contains 
the core data that is analyzed and communicated by OTTI with other 
government agencies, associations and businesses that share the same 
objective to increase U.S. international travel exports. To assist OTTI 
assesses the economic impact of international travel on state and local 
economies, provides visitation estimates, and identifies traveler and 
trip characteristics. The U.S. Department of Commerce assists travel 
industry businesses seeking to develop target marketing to increase 
international travel and passenger fare exports for the country as well 
as outbound travel. The Survey program provides the only estimates of 
nonresident visitation to the states and cities within the U.S., as 
well as U.S. resident travel abroad.

II. Method of Collection

    The collection is on U.S. and foreign flag airlines that 
voluntarily agree to allow us to survey their passengers on flights 
departing from the U.S. Additional surveys are also collected at U.S. 
departure airports.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0227.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: International travelers, both U.S. and non-U.S. 
residents, 18 years or older, departing the United States for all 
countries except Canada
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 99,360.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 24,840 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: This is a $2.1 million research 
program of which the government funds a $1.5 million portion. The 
remaining funds are obtained from sales of research reports to the 
public and in-kind contributions from the airlines, airports and other 
travel industry partners. Respondents will not need to purchase 
equipment or materials to respond to this collection.

IV. Requested for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this 
information collection; they also will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: February 18, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E5-755 Filed 2-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-P