Today, the leaders of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) joined and applauded Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Mark Warner (D-VA) for their commitment to Travel and Tourism and its role in creating jobs and driving economic growth in the United States.

The two Senators jointly met with the 30-strong Executive Committee of the WTTC as part of its annual meeting in Washington, DC on October 30th. The Senators discussed the role of Travel & Tourism in the United States – the world’s biggest Travel & Tourism economy. Furthermore, the group discussed:

• Continuing support for inbound international travel and for Brand USA, America’s destination marketing organization;
• Deploying biometric technologies to ensure safe, efficient and seamless cross-border travel;
• Opportunities to maximize the industry’s economic potential by promoting job training and apprenticeship programs.

Commenting on the event, Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “I would like to thank Senators Roy Blunt and Mark Warner for the time they have devoted to the WTTC Executive Committee. Their leadership on critical Travel & Tourism issues in the United States Senate is commendable and will help drive our mission forward.”

“We are truly living in a Golden Age of Travel, with nearly 77 million international visitors to the United States last year who spent a record-setting $251 billion,” said Chris Nassetta, Chairman of WTTC and President and CEO of Hilton.

“Senators Warner and Blunt have been great champions of Travel & Tourism because they understand the positive economic impact our industry has had on their states and the country as a whole.”

WTTC represents the global leaders of private sector Travel & Tourism companies which between them account for two-thirds of a trillion US dollars in turnover; its Executive Committee consists of the Chairs, Presidents and CEOs from companies from across the world.