U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger Dow said he was hopeful that the Travel Promotion Act would become law in this calendar year, but whether that happens depends on how long the Senate keeps its single-minded focus on healthcare.

Dow, speaking at the Travel Weekly 2010 Virtual Conference and Tradeshow on Tuesday, also said that the Travel Promotion Act could be attached to an omnibus spending bill if it isn't passed as an individual bill.

The Travel Promotion Act would provide up to $100 million annually in funding promotions for inbound travel to the U.S.

Although the House of Representatives and the Senate have each passed the bill, it must go through the Senate one more time before it can be sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Asked at the Travel Weekly conference whether he’s certain the president will sign the bill, Dow responded, "President Obama likes this bill a lot. He had hoped to have it signed before he went out to speak to the Olympic Committee."

Congress will go into recess on Dec. 23 and will not return until after the new year.

Provisions of the Travel Promotion Act authorize activity to begin on Jan. 1, but if the bill isn’t enacted before then, it can still be enacted any time in 2010 up until a new Congress is seated after November elections.

Dow asked travel agents attending the virtual conference to submit feedback to U.S. Travel for ways that the experience of travel in the U.S. can be improved.

"Agents talk to travelers -- we need to know their friction points," he said.

Dow urged attendees to send suggestions to U.S. Travel staff member Patricia Rojas at projas@ustravel.org.