Tourism
January 25, 2023
Boosting Tourism and Travel Nationwide
“Travel and tourism is a key economic driver for Nevada, and one of my top priorities in the Senate has been making sure we support this industry’s comeback to its full potential.” – Sen. Rosen
Travel and tourism is an important economic generator and supports local and regional economies and businesses across the United States. The pandemic wreaked havoc on this industry, with many would-be travelers choosing to stay home. Tourism spending by visitors dipped by three-quarters in the first three months of the pandemic. Many small businesses, particularly in the hospitality and restaurant industries, depended on this spending to stay afloat.
While Congress stepped up to help restaurants and small businesses weather the pandemic, there were no dedicated resources in the Department of Commerce to study and support the tourism industry during its recovery and beyond.
Sen. Rosen’s Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021 supports the travel and tourism economy that was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows the federal government to better coordinate policies around travel and tourism and promote opportunities for Americans to get out and see the wonderful sites and culture our country has to offer. Also sponsored by Ranking Member Roger Wicker, the bill passed as part of the 2023 omnibus appropriations bill.
Senator Rosen has been a leader in fighting to restore the travel and tourism industry to its full potential. Tourism is one of Nevada’s key industries and employs nearly 350,000 Nevadans. She held seven Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion subcommittee hearings exploring the pandemic’s impact on international visitation, the hospitality workforce, small businesses, outdoor recreation, ecotourism and the Department of Commerce’s 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy.
“While domestic and leisure travel has made significant progress, we still remain behind pre-pandemic levels and need additional support. Senator Rosen’s bipartisan Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act takes important steps to bring the future of travel and tourism into focus, especially through the vitally important creation of an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism position to oversee a whole-of-government strategy for tourism.” - Steve Hill, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
The Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021:
-
Directs the Department of Commerce to develop a 10-year travel and tourism strategy with annual goals to boost the industry. These goals will be measuring sticks to see how well the industry is doing.
-
Creates a brand-new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism in the Department of Commerce. This Assistant Secretary will make sure that the highest levels of government are thinking about Americans’ travel and tourism needs when making policy decisions.
-
Officially authorizes the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which will have participants from industry, labor groups, and other key stakeholders.
