FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2003

THE TRAVEL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE (TBR) LAUNCHES
REDESIGNED WEBSITE

Contact: Debra Kelman Loew
212-794-DKPR (3577)

Features Interactive Tool That Allows Easy Access to Elected Officials

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Travel Business Roundtable (TBR) has launched a redesigned website that is more interactive and will serve as a central resource for the distribution of the latest information on governmental affairs and legislative activities affecting the travel and tourism industry in the United States. It will be an important tool to help promote this vital national industry.

Visitors to www.tbr.org can get detailed information on pending legislation affecting the travel and tourism industry, as well as on other activities in Congress that could impact the industry. To encourage participation and promote a call to action on key issues, visitors will also have an opportunity to register with CapitolConnect.™ Through this web-based advocacy tool designed to initiate, manage, and track grassroots programs using the Internet, members will be able to compose their own letters, draw on talking points, or send letters by fax, e-mail or regular mail to their respective elected officials. The new website was designed by Alexandria, Virginia-based HDN Studio.

Other sections of the site include sections designed to help members of the media and consumers better understand the industry and TBR, including a message from TBR Chairman Jonathan Tisch, industry statistics and research, press releases and a list of TBR members. There are also links to other related sources, including websites for the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, World Travel and Tourism Council (TBR’s global strategic partner), Department of Transportation Statistics, World Tourism Organization, and other sites that address travel and tourism issues, legislative activities, or statistics.

Founded in 1995 following the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, TBR’s mission is to educate elected officials and policy makers about the industry’s significant economic and social contributions to the nation.

With its membership of more than 75 CEOs from the leading travel-related companies, and other industry suppliers from across the country, TBR represents the many sectors that comprise the travel and tourism industry. In addition to hotels, airlines, car rental agencies, and travel management companies, TBR's roster also includes important members such as Coca-Cola, USA Today, the National Football League, and the International Council of Shopping Centers, demonstrating the broad scope and diversity that travel and tourism represents.

“As TBR has made great strides in its mission to increase governmental and public awareness about the economic impact of the travel and tourism industry, we felt it was necessary to update our website so as to provide a comprehensive resource for our members and other interested parties. They now have access to the latest information about industry activities, legislative priorities and new research,” said Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of TBR and Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels. “Working together as an industry, and coordinating our outreach to government, is even more important now than ever before. The industry, which was catastrophically impacted after 9/11, remains challenged by the ongoing economic uncertainty, remaining fears of travel and anxiety about international conflict. Our new website will help TBR facilitate that outreach.”

In light of the world events and the resulting challenges they have placed on the travel and tourism industry, TBR has strengthened its efforts to create a unified and sustained governmental approach for the industry. This goal has been particularly successful through the active work and presence on Capitol Hill.

One recent and significant accomplishment was the announcement last month that Congress had passed legislation providing funding to establish a marketing campaign to promote the United States as a desirable travel destination. The language was included in the Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill that was signed by President Bush into law.

The provision provides $50 million to the Commerce Department, and authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to fund an advertising and marketing campaign - in consultation with the travel and tourism industry and state and local governments - that would encourage individuals to travel to the United States. The campaign represents an unprecedented comprehensive effort to brand and market the U.S. overseas.

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