The Corporation for Travel Promotion, the tourism-promotion entity created by last year’s Travel Promotion Act, disclosed at its board meeting today that it has created an informational website.
The corporation has also registered the URL in the dot-org and dot-travel domains.
The site offers basic information about the mission of the corporation, which is still in the start-up phase.
During the meeting, board chairman Stephen Cloobeck, who is chairman of Diamond Resorts, offered an update on start-up activities. He said executive-search firm Spencer Stuart is "actively recruiting" a CEO, and that he hopes to have the position filled in the next four to six weeks.
Also, the board reversed an earlier decision to seek tax-exempt 501 c(3) status from the IRS, and instead is seeking designation as a 501 c(6) nonprofit, a status typically conferred on "business leagues" such as trade associations.
Cloobeck also noted that the corporation’s primary funding source, an entry fee paid by certain foreign visitors, has already reached $22.5 million. The fee is paid by inbound travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, who are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization online prior to travel.