President Obama didn't mention travel in his recent State of the Union speech, as you noted in your "Progress" editorial [Jan. 30]. But does that mean the travel industry isn't ready for prime time? Hardly.
The president also didn't mention the retail industry, the Keystone pipeline or anti-piracy legislation. No one can argue those haven't been prime-time issues lately. Therefore, it's silly to ascribe a mention in the State of the Union as a litmus test for national relevancy.
For the first time in our history, the power of our industry as a major economic engine is being recognized by the White House. Just five days before the State of the Union, years of strategic and concerted effort culminated in the president's announcement of a national travel and tourism initiative. He followed up by dedicating his weekly radio and Internet address to bringing additional attention to the steps he outlined to make it easier for tourists to travel to the U.S.
That doesn't mean we've arrived at the mountaintop, because there is, as your editorial points out, a long way to go. But for far too long our industry was a sleeping giant. We have awakened, and we are being heard. And the president's announcement proves that.
To increase our voice, the U.S. Travel Association has launched the Vote Travel campaign, a nationwide effort to highlight the relevancy and impact our industry has on our country. We hope everyone in the industry will join us as we add our voice to the 2012 election and challenge candidates to consider the people and economic strength travel brings to our country.
Blain Rethmeier, senior vice president, public affairs
U.S. Travel Association
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