SHAHEEN APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF TOURISM PROMOTION BILL

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, which she cosponsored, has passed in the Senate and will be signed into law by President Obama. The bill creates a public-private partnership, the Corporation for Travel Promotion, and an Office of Travel Promotion within the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote international travel to the United States.

"Tens of thousands of jobs in New Hampshire are created and sustained through tourism, and the Travel Promotion Act will help attract international visitors to our nation," said Shaheen. "This bill will bring additional tourism dollars to cities, towns, and resort communities in New Hampshire, and, with this increased income, I'm hopeful that restaurants, inns and attractions will be able to retain and create jobs."

"Tourism is essential to our state's economy, and international travel is an important component," said Alice DeSouza, Director of New Hampshire's Division of Travel and Tourism Development. "As Governor, Jeanne Shaheen elevated the promotion and role of tourism.  Now, as Senator, she continues her leadership and support of this very important sector of New Hampshire's economy.  I thank her for her continued efforts on behalf of this industry."  

Tourism is the second largest industry in New Hampshire in terms of jobs supported by dollars brought in from outside the state.  Last year, tourism in New Hampshire supported approximately 67,000 direct full-time and part-time jobs.

The Travel Promotion Act establishes the Corporation for Travel Promotion, an independent, non-profit corporation governed by an 11-member board of directors appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. It also creates an Office of Travel Promotion in the U.S. Department of Commerce to develop programs to increase the number of international visitors to the United States.