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PRESS RELEASE
May 13, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Debra Kelman Loew
212.794-3577
INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT PARTNER TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Secretary Of State Colin Powell Promotes “Secure
Borders and Open Doors” Department of Homeland Security
Secretary Tom Ridge Vows to Work with Industry
Washington, D.C. — At a historic Summit in Washington,
D.C. hosted by the Travel Business Roundtable with
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, nearly 300 industry leaders
as well as senior members of the Bush Administration and Congress
convened to address many of the key issues facing the industry.
Co-hosted by Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of TBR and Chairman
and CEO of Loews Hotels, and Thomas Donohue, President and
CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, this year's event entitled
Securing the Future of Travel and Tourism focused
on the impact of national security on travel and tourism;
the need to harmonize security policies with the mobility
of people and commerce; and on promoting the U.S as an international
destination of choice.
The impressive lineup of speakers included:
- The Honorable Colin Powell, Secretary, U.S. Department
of State;
- The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary, U.S. Department
of Transportation;
- The Honorable Gale Norton, Secretary, U.S. Department
of Interior;
- Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND), Chairman, Senate Democratic
Policy Committee;
- Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY), Chairman, House Subcommittee
on Homeland Security; and
- Mayor Manuel Diaz of Miami, Florida.
"This year's gathering is further proof that by working
together as partners with our elected officials, we can address
the challenges that face not only our industry, but our nation
and the economy as a whole," noted Tisch. "The exchange
of ideas and information will surely yield long-term benefits
that will help secure our borders, while also fostering economic
growth and creating jobs. This type of gathering could not
have happened 10 years ago."
Highlights from the day include:
Keynote Luncheon Address featuring The Honorable Colin
Powell, Secretary, U.S. Department of State
Secretary Powell emphasized the need to have secure borders
and open doors, stating, “We can continue to be a welcoming
country even as we take measures to secure our borders.”
He went on to note “a strong economy is just as essential
to national security as a strong defense. Travel and tourism
is one of the most vital segments of that economy.” Secretary
Powell also acknowledged that having people from around the
world visit our country and experience our way of life helps
him do foreign policy.
State and Local Efforts to Create Growth in Travel and
Tourism:
Mayor Manuel Diaz from Miami, FL, chairman of the U.S. Conference
of Mayors’ Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee
to which its Tourism Task force reports, stressed the need
to create a cabinet level post for travel and tourism. His
remarks were met with a resounding applause from the audience.
Outlook from the Senate:
Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND), Chairman, Senate Democratic
Policy Committee spoke about the challenges facing the industry
and expressed his support for extending the deadline for new
biometric passports. The Senator also indicated the need to
have an international travel and tourism promotion effort,
especially given the negative perception of the U.S. in many
parts of the world.
Ensuring our Transportation Infrastructure for the Next
Century:
The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary, U.S. Department
of Transportation, underscored that travel and tourism is
essential to the fabric of America, and that safe, efficient
transportation is vital to the industry. "Everyone deserves
a safe and worry free trip," he noted while also indicating
the industry's ability to create jobs, which is a cornerstone
of the Bush Administration's economic goals.
Current State of the Travel and Tourism Industry:
CEOs representing various sectors of the travel industry
- hotels, airlines, transportation and shopping centers -
discussed the impact of the series of challenges the industry
has faced. And, while there are positive signs of a rebound
and great optimism for the summer travel season, the industry
still feels vulnerable to the risk of a major catastrophic
event. Curtis Nelson, President and COO, Carlson Companies,
said that the rebound had been phenomenal, but distinguished
between leisure travel, which remained quite strong, with
business travel, which is the last to see recovery. Robert
Crandall, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of AMR Corporation
and American Airlines addressed the challenges of the airline
industry, which continues to lose money. He also stated his
belief that it is wrong to continually pose higher fees and
taxes on travelers.
Economic Importance of America's National Parks:
The Honorable Gale Norton, Secretary, U.S. Department of
the Interior spoke about her department's role in promoting
tourism, stressing the importance of promoting the National
Parks as well as heritage and recreational tourism.
Coordinating Security Policies with the Flow of Commerce
to Facilitate Growth in Travel and Tourism:
On a panel focusing on security policies and the flow of
commerce, Jay Kriegel, Executive Director of New York City
2012, spoke about the significance of having the Olympics
in New York in 2012. The event would bring 500,000 visitors
from abroad for 17 days, generating nearly $12 billion for
the region. One of the challenges he said they face is on
new visa policies and the need to have a declaration from
the President that assures that athletes will be able to enter
the U.S. to participate in the games.
On Tuesday evening, TBR hosted a CEO VIP Awards Dinner where
TBR honored Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge with its
annual Leadership in Tourism Award. The award is given
each year to a public servant who has demonstrated a deep
commitment to and understanding of the travel and tourism
industry. A longstanding supporter of the industry, Secretary
Ridge was chosen to receive the award this year for his commitment
to balancing the nation's security needs with encouraging
economic growth and prosperity. At that time, Secretary Ridge
also pledged his support for the industry and his understanding
of the issues that are facing it.
The first Travel and Tourism Summit co-hosted by TBR and
the Chamber was held last year and focused on Re-Igniting
Travel and Tourism following the events in September
2001, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the struggling economy,
and the SARS pandemic, all of which plunged the industry into
one of the most challenging periods in its history.
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