Officials seeking to boost travel

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS

The White House last week sought to reassure travel industry leaders that the United States cares about tourism and hopes to push the industry as the country recovers from a recession that left many without the means to spend as much on vacations and business trips.

Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, told executives at the Global Travel & Tourism Summit that the U.S. wants to help make travel easy and safe, attract international visitors and spur business.

“All of these investments stem from a single belief: If it’s easier to travel through the United States, more people will choose to do so,” Jarrett said.

Global tourism took a big dip in 2009 as the economy struggled, with visitors around the world spending $2.33 trillion on domestic travel and $1.03 trillion on international travel, a combined $283.5 billion less than they spent in 2008.

“Where there is commitment, travel and tourism do thrive,” said David Scowsill, the council’s president and chief executive.

“It will happen if you’re determined to make it happen.”

Americans will spend an estimated $714 billion this year on domestic travel, while international travelers are expected to spend far less — $171.2 billion — visiting the United States, according to data from The World Travel & Tourism Council.

At the summit, Jarrett and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood touted investments in high-speed rail, the creation of a public-private corporation to promote tourism in the United States and agreements to expand international and cargo air routes.

The council, a trade group based in the United Kingdom made up of about 100 travel industry CEOs around the world, estimated tourism will directly and indirectly contribute nearly $6 trillion to global domestic product in this year. That number is up from $5.7 trillion last year.

Scowsill said tourism is 9 percent of the global domestic product, while autos contribute 8 percent and banking contributes 11 percent.