Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
subscribers of the latest developments in the international travel market. Information on the programs
administered by the of
ce, as well as content on each of the areas the of
ce oversees, is provided on
the site. To learn more, go to
www.tinet.ita.doc.gov
.
Advisory Board
The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board serves as the advisory body to the Department of
Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. The board
advises the commerce secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and
tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum for discussing
and proposing solutions to industry-related problems.
The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory board consists of up to 30 members appointed by the
secretary of commerce. Members represent companies and organizations in the travel and tourism
industry from a broad range of products and services, company sizes, and geographic locations.
Members serve, at the pleasure of the secretary, from the date of appointment to the board until the
date on which the board
'
s charter terminates.
Export Assistance
The OTTI offers export assistance to American travel and tourism industry suppliers, from communi-
ties to individual establishments, through consultations using market analysis and intelligence.
Working in conjunction with the promotional efforts of Commercial Service of
cers nationwide
and around the globe, these services offer in-depth market conditions and industry knowledge to
position a speci
c market to expand this vital export, encouraging more international travelers to visit
the United States.
The focus of export assistance is outreach carried out through the tourism trade specialists and
research analysts at OTTI. Outreach involves a concerted effort with convention and visitor bureaus to
reach communities, trade associations to reach industry players, state tourism of
ces, and other
federal agencies involved in tourism-related activities or products. A key partner in the effectiveness of
export assistance efforts is the Commercial Service, both domestic and foreign, in the International
Trade Administration. This covers more than 100 export assistance of
ces throughout the United
States and more than 150 foreign Commercial Service of
ces in more than 80 countries throughout
the world.
Policy
The OTTI plays an active role in domestic and international policy issues as they relate to the U.S.
travel and tourism industry. From a domestic policy perspective, OTTI serves as the secretariat for
the Tourism Policy Council. The Tourism Policy Council (TPC) is an interagency committee
established by law for the purpose of ensuring that the nation
s tourism interests are considered in
federal decision making. Its major function is to coordinate national policies and programs relating
to international travel and tourism, recreation, and national heritage resources that involve
federal agencies. The TPC, originally established in 1981, was reauthorized by the U.S. National
Tourism Organization Act of 1996 and began to hold meetings from that time. The TPC has been
involved in visa policy issues, the new entry/exit requirements, opening China as a tourism
destination for the United States, and numerous other government policy issues. The OTTI
participates in the activities of global tourism development in multiple international inter-
governmental organizations. Serving as the National Tourism Of
ce for the U.S. government, the
OTTI is the representative to the Asia Paci
c Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Working
Group, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Tourism Committee,
'
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