WASHINGTON, D.C.

Jonathan Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels, on Thursday urged members of the United States Senate to set a national goal to win back the nation’s share of the global travel market lost over the past decade. Tisch made his remarks during a hearing held by the Senate Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation and Export Promotion.

“Between 2000 and 2010, the world experienced an international travel boom – but the U.S. missed out, costing our country tax revenues and jobs,” Tisch said. “If we had simply kept up with the worldwide growth the U.S. would have captured an additional $300 billion dollars in visitor spending and created an additional 441,000 jobs.” 

Citing the high economic stakes, Tisch called on the government to establish a national goal to regain 17 percent of the global travel market. Tisch also recommended that Congress back three strategic priorities in order to achieve this goal: supporting Brand USA and its efforts to promote the U.S. to international travelers; reforming the nation’s burdensome, bureaucratic visa system which deters international travelers; and upgrading the country’s aviation infrastructure.

Courtesy of www.hotelsmag.com