Government Affairs - Detail

AH&LA- Supports The Travel Regional Investment Partnership (TRIP) Act, H.R. 4676

September 16, 2010

(Washington, D.C, August 27, 2010) Recognizing the importance of tourism to the American economy, Representative Sam Farr (D-CA) and Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) introduced the Travel Regional Investment Partnership or “TRIP Act,” (H.R. 4676/ S. 3225) to increase domestic tourism. The TRIP Act creates a matching grant program to be administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce. These grants will promote domestic tourism through local and regional partnerships between convention and visitors bureaus and other community tourism entities, such as parks, resorts, and other attractions. The competitive matching grants will range from $100,000 to $1 million.

“We applaud Congressman Sam Farr’s leadership on this bill, as well as the work he has done on many other travel-related issues” said Joe McInerney, president and CEO of AH&LA. “With Representative Roy Blunt (R-MO) as a cosponsor, this bipartisan bill will help to promote the travel and tourism sector which has been significantly impacted in the economic downturn.”

This bill is getting some well deserved attention due to the economic benefits the travel and tourism industry generally and the lodging industry specifically generate in communities that have been hurting.” said Marlene Colucci, AH&LA executive vice president for policy. “This will assist the Travel Promotion Act in putting more heads in the beds of American hotels.”

During this congressional recess, please take this opportunity to thank your members of Congress for helping to strengthen the U.S. economy by promoting tourism to the United States through the passage of the Travel Promotion Act (TPA). Like TPA, the TRIP Act will offer an opportunity to increase domestic travel by promoting local destinations.