IITA Shows Its Capitol Hill Effectiveness
By Steve Richer, DC Correspondent
As a result of scheduling meetings on Capitol Hill last month with relevant committee and subcommittee leaders in both houses, committee staff, and operating agencies dealing with our issues, including visas, entry, public lands, and tourism marketing, IITA is having a serious impact on public policy that affects our members.
Initially, IITA was asked by the office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Republican of Florida, House chair of the tourism-focused subcommittee, for language funding the Commerce Assistant Secretary for Tourism position, and by the office of Senator Angus King, Independent of Maine, ranking member of the National Parks Subcommittee, for language related to fee structures and improving park access for international visitors.
Being asked twice to help with actual language to be included in legislation is an amazing major achievement for IITA and an indication of the respect we have achieved on Capitol Hill.
This is no minor achievement. It is a common request to advocating organizations. Bravo, IITA team, especially Chair Lena Ross, Advocacy Committee Chair Peter Van Berkel, and Executive Director Lisa Simon!
On top of these key achievements, the number one ask during all of IITA’s more than 20 appointments was for a high-level invitation to visit America to be issued by someone like Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
One of IITA’s meetings was with State Department staff. So, what happened at this week’s Cabinet meeting? Secretary Rubio called for a focus on inviting the world to America for the major events coming up in the U.S.!
IITA is sending him a letter urging him to amplify the message to the world through media channels and to let the inbound travel trade know the customers are being invited to visit the U.S. from its highest levels of national leadership.
That’s how effective your tourism organization is in paying attention to policy that impacts the business of our members! A gold star performance by any measure.