The National Tour Association is spearheading a meeting of 30 travel and tourism organizations to discuss the economic crisis. The meeting will take place in Washington D.C., on Dec. 16. The intent of the Dec. 16 meeting, according to NTA, is to share ideas and prepare recommendations for President-elect Barack Obama about how travel and tourism can help the economy. Steve Richer, NTA’s public affairs advocate, said the NTA and cooperating organizations have identified “an excellent point of contact” within Obama’s transition team that will help the travel and tourism industry’s voice be heard. The outcome of the meeting will be presented to Obama, his transition team and key members of Congress, according to NTA. The meeting’s results will made public on Dec. 17. Other organizations attending the Dec. 16 meeting include the ASTA, the U.S. Tour Operators Association, the American Bus Association, the Cruise Lines International Association and the International Air Transport Association. The Travel Industry Association has not confirmed its attendance but told the NTA it would submit policy recommendations. The meeting follows the formation of a coalition by 10 packaged-travel organizations that met for the first time in Washington at the end of June. That coalition is comprised of ABA, ASTA, NTA, TIA, USTOA, the United Motorcoach Association, the Student Youth Travel Association and several Canadian groups. That group’s agenda, according to Richer, includes getting travel industry representation in the White House; adding countries to the Visa Waiver Program; pushing forward the Travel Promotion Act of 2007; and opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s proposal to require airlines and cruise lines to collect fingerprints from travelers. |