July 2010

AHC NEWS

Tourism Promotion Bill Becomes Law  

The Travel Promotion Act has been signed into law by President Obama. The bill was originally introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) in the Senate and Representative Bill Delahunt (D-MA) in the House. The purpose of the new law is to market the U.S. as a tourist destination to people around the world. The bill should benefit tourism involving the horse industry.

Equine tourism is a growing and diverse segment of the horse industry. Examples of equine tourism include individuals traveling to see the World Equestrian Games or the Kentucky Derby as well as the family who takes a pack trip in Wyoming.  Because Equine tourism encompasses so many parts of the industry including recreation, showing and racing, any effort to promote the U.S. to foreign tourist should benefit the entire horse industry. 

 “We are please the Travel Promotion Act is now law,” said AHC President Jay Hickey.  “If the horse industry in the U.S. is to expand, it is important that we promote it abroad as well as at home. We believe this Act has the potential to increase the number of international visitors to the U.S. who participate in equestrian events and activities, either as participants or spectators.”

The Act creates a Corporation for Travel Promotion that will be responsible for explaining U.S entry policies and providing useful information to foreign tourists and others interested in traveling to the United States.  The Act also requires the corporation to “identify opportunities and strategies to promote tourism to rural and urban areas equally.”  A travel promotion fund requiring non-federal matching funds will also be established.

The law will also create a new Office of Travel Promotion in the Department of Commerce.  This office will support and encourage the development of programs to increase the number of international visitors to the United States.  In general this office will be responsible for disseminating information to international visitors about U.S. entry procedures.  Additionally it will collect data on the number of international visitors to each State and support State, regional, and private sector initiatives to promote travel to and within the United States.

“Whether it’s a packing trip in the west, one of the outstanding horse shows or rodeos  throughout the country or one of our exciting races, this bill has the potential to help let foreign tourist know what the U.S. horse industry has to offer,” said Ben Pendergrass, AHC Legislative Director. 

The AHC will keep the industry informed of the progress of both the Corporation for Travel Promotion and the Office of Travel Promotion in the Department of Commerce as these new entities get up and running.

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