The PVA Association announced that legislation creating a major program to encourage international tourism to the United States cleared the Senate on September 9. The Travel Promotion Act (S. 1023) was approved by 79-19.
The promotional campaign, as outlined in the bill, will occur under the auspices of a public-private corporation. Financing will derive from a fee of $10 on each international visitor who does not already have to pay for a visa to enter the U.S., matched by assessments from larger American companies involved in international tourism.
The bill now must go to the House of Representatives. The PVA said that passage is likely, as the House approved an earlier bill on the subject during the previous Congress.