‘Travel Works for America’ National Advocacy Tour Launches with First Stop on Capitol Hill


WASHINGTONTravel Works for America—a national advocacy tour designed to highlight the $2.6 trillion economic impact and far-reaching contributions created by travel—relaunched this week in the Washington, DC, region.

Our Travel Works activations will take the powerful message of the industry’s impact on the American economy from Capitol Hill to cities across the nation, demonstrating for lawmakers and community leaders how travel benefits not only their regions but also other sectors within the economy. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association

The May 10 kickoff—held during the 40th anniversary of National Travel and Tourism Week—began Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington before a stop at the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, which was followed by a Thursday rally with Destination DC in downtown Washington’s Franklin Park and a visit to Old Town in Alexandria, VA.

At its first stop, a branded Travel Works food truck served coffee and donuts—along with a message that travel fuels the American economy—to morning commuters, Capitol Hill staffers and more than 20 members of Congress near U.S. House of Representatives office buildings.

Among the elected officials stopping by the morning kickoff were Rep. Diaz Balart (R-FL), Rep. Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Rep. Letlow (R-LA), Rep. LaHood (R-IL), Rep. McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Amodei (R-NV), Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL), Chm. Hudson (R-NC), Rep. Moore (R-UT) and Chm. Smith (R-MO).

Chairman Jason Smith (left), Tori Emerson Barnes (right)— Photo by U.S. Travel Association
Chairman Jason Smith (left), Tori Emerson Barnes (right)— Photo by U.S. Travel Association
Tori Emerson Barnes (left), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (middle) and Erik Hansen (right)— Photo by U.S. Travel AssociationTori Emerson Barnes (left), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (middle) and Erik Hansen (right)— Photo by U.S. Travel Association
Tori Emerson Barnes (left), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (middle) and Erik Hansen (right)— Photo by U.S. Travel Association

At Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, representatives from U.S. Travel, Visit Baltimore and the National Aquarium handed out refreshments and spread the word about travel’s role in powering Charm City.

Margot Amelia, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, National Aquarium (right), and the National Aquarium team— Photo by U.S. Travel AssociationMargot Amelia, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, National Aquarium (right), and the National Aquarium team— Photo by U.S. Travel Association
Margot Amelia, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, National Aquarium (right), and the National Aquarium team— Photo by U.S. Travel Association

The final capital area Travel Works stop in Old Town Alexandria, VA, featured a tour through the historic city with Visit Alexandria.

City of Alexandria Councilman John Taylor Chapman (left), Nicole Porter (middle) and Visit Alexandria President & CEO Patricia Washington (right)— Photo by U.S. Travel AssociationCity of Alexandria Councilman John Taylor Chapman (left), Nicole Porter (middle) and Visit Alexandria President & CEO Patricia Washington (right)— Photo by U.S. Travel Association
City of Alexandria Councilman John Taylor Chapman (left), Nicole Porter (middle) and Visit Alexandria President & CEO Patricia Washington (right)— Photo by U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel is planning other Travel Works stops in additional cities and states this year, including, among others:

  • Charleston, SC
  • Boston, MA
  • Detroit, MI
  • Savannah, GA
  • Orlando, FL

The Travel Works for America roadshow first launched in 2019 with stops in St. Louis and Columbus, OH.

Learn more about travel’s essential economic contributions.

About U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. Travelers in the United States are estimated to spend $1.1 trillion in 2022 (still 10% below 2019 levels). U.S. Travel advocates for policies to accelerate an even recovery across the travel industry and restore economic and job growth for this essential contributor to our nation’s success. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.

Greg Staley
U.S. Travel Association



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