Slow Lines Slow Down the U.S. Economy - Skift · Slow Lines Slow Down the U.S. Economy Dear Members...

Slow Lines Slow Down the U.S. Economy Dear Members of Congress,

As leaders of the U.S. travel industry, a sector representing $2.0 trillion in economic activity that supports 14.6 million American workers, we join together to call for improvements to the entry process for international visitors in order to reap the full economic benefi ts of our #1 services export—inbound international travel.

In 2012, our country established a goal of attracting 100 million international visitors by 2021—an infl ux of travelers that would add $250 billion to our economy every year. In order to attract these visitors, we must provide a secure and welcoming experience when they arrive at our shores.

Today, too many travelers arrive at U.S. gateway airports to spend hours waiting in lengthy lines due to understaffed immigration checkpoints. Delays during entry are not a simple inconvenience; they deter international travelers from visiting the United States, which in turn has a signifi cant impact on our economy through unrealized spending by visitors and increased barriers to international trade. This is a solvable problem.

Our Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offi cers are hard-working public servants who are the fi rst line of defense to ensure our nation is secure. However, travelers report that the number of CBP offi cers is simply inadequate to effi ciently process the volume of arriving passengers. CBP and its workforce deserve appropriate resources and support to properly perform their mission.

The U.S. Travel Association today has issued a comprehensive report that offers 20 concrete policy recommendations to improve the entry process. We call on the 113th Congress to review these proposals and consider immigration reform as an opportunity to move forward. We are encouraged that Congress has provided for additional CBP offi cers in the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill and commend the U.S. Senate for funding an additional 3,500 additional CBP offi cers in its immigration bill (S. 744).

An improved entry process will help grow the national economy, create jobs and strengthen security at airports and border checkpoints. We look forward to working with you to ensure this process is secure, effi cient and welcoming. For more information visit www.travelersvoice.org.

Sincerely,

Joseph Lopano, CEO, Tampa International AirportGary W. Loveman, Chairman, CEO & President, Caesars Entertainment Corp.John L. Martin, Director, San Francisco Airport CommissionDeborah C. McElroy, Interim President, Airports Council International-North AmericaSteve Moore, President & CEO, Visit PhoenixPatrick Moscaritolo, President & CEO, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors BureauDanny Murphy, Aviation Director, Phoenix Sky Harbor International AirportJames Murren, Chairman & CEO, MGM Resorts International Christopher J. Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton WorldwideRonald N. Nelson, Chairman & CEO, Avis Budget GroupTom Norwalk, President & CEO, Visit SeattleGreg Ortale, President & CEO, Greater Houston Convention & Visitors BureauWilliam Pate, President & CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors BureauJoseph V. Popolo, Jr., CEO, FreemanJohn E. Potter, President & CEO, Metropolitan Washington Airports AuthorityRossi Ralenkotter, President & CEO, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors AuthorityTrudy Rautio, President & CEO, CarlsonWilliam Seccombe, President & CEO, VISIT FLORIDALewis Shomer, President & CEO, Society of Independent Show OrganizersLisa Simon, President, NTAArne Sorenson, President & CEO, Marriott InternationalJohn Sprouls, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Offi cer, Universal Parks & ResortsGreg Stubblefi eld, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Offi cer, Enterprise Holdings, Inc.Dawn Sweeney, President & CEO, National Restaurant Association Joe Terzi, President & CEO, San Diego Tourism AuthorityJonathan M. Tisch, Chairman, Loews Hotels Frits van Paasschen, President & CEO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.Rosemary A. Vassiliadis, Aviation Director, Las Vegas McCarran International AirportW. Edward Walter, President & CEO, Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Don Welsh, President & CEO, Choose Chicago Anre Williams, President, Global Merchant Services, American Express Company

Roger Dow, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association George Armando Aguel, President & CEO, Visit OrlandoRosemarie S. Andolino, Commissioner, Chicago Department of AviationJim Atchison, President & CEO, SeaWorld Parks & EntertainmentPhil Brown, Executive Director, Orlando International AirportStephen Caldeira, President & CEO, International Franchise AssociationStephen J. Cloobeck, Founder & Chairman, Diamond Resorts International, Inc.Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa BayJim Crites, Executive Vice President, Dallas/Fort Worth International AirportJoe D’Alessandro, President & CEO, San Francisco Travel AssociationKim Day, Manager of Aviation, Denver International AirportMario C. Diaz, Director of Aviation, Houston Airport SystemThomas J. Donohue, President & CEO, U.S. Chamber of CommerceDavid DuBois, President & CEO, International Association of Exhibitions & EventsChristine Duffy, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International AssociationElliott Ferguson, President & CEO, Destination DCJack Ferguson, President & CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors BureauGeorge Fertitta, CEO, NYC & CompanyGeoff Freeman, President & CEO, American Gaming AssociationMark Frissora, Chairman & CEO, The Hertz CorporationMark Gale, CEO, Philadelphia International AirportMike Gallagher, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, CityPASSRandy Garfi eld, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales & Travel Operations, Disney Destinations and President, Walt Disney Travel CompanyMichael D. Gehrisch, President & CEO, Destination Marketing Association InternationalNicki E. Grossman, President, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors BureauBarney Harford, CEO, Orbitz WorldwideTodd Hauptli, President, AAAE Gov.Mark S. Hoplamazian, President & CEO, Hyatt Hotels CorporationJerry Jacobs, Jr., Principal, Delaware North Companies Robert L. Jameson, President & CEO, Fort Worth Convention & Visitors BureauPhillip Jones, President & CEO, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau Steve P. Joyce, President & CEO, Choice Hotels International, Inc.Dara Khosrowshahi, President & CEO, Expedia, Inc.Kirk Kinsell, President, The Americas, InterContinental Hotels GroupTom Klein, President & CEO, Sabre HoldingsDavid Kong, President & CEO, Best Western International, Inc.Michael Leven, President & COO, Las Vegas Sands CorporationGina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director, Los Angeles World Airports