The U.S. Travel Association is promoting the economic
benefits of travel with a billboard at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., where
many an elected official attends Major League Baseball games.
"We have a potent message -- that travel is a key
economic driver, jobs creator, and positive contributor to the U.S. trade
balance -- and we want leaders to be thinking about it even when they're not at
the office," said Tori Barnes, U.S. Travel's executive vice president for
public affairs.
The four-story billboard, located above the outfield, highlights
the importance of international inbound travel to the U.S. The billboard made
its debt on Opening Day on March 28 and will remain in the ballpark for the entire
season.
U.S. Travel also aims to influence President Donald Trump with
pro-travel billboard advertising on Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach County,
the main road from Palm Beach International Airport to Palm Beach Island, where
Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort is located. U.S. Travel plans to display the ad
starting June 3 and into the presidential election year.
U.S. Travel had previously targeted the area around
Mar-a-Lago during the president's visits, including a digital billboard during
the Honda Classic in Palm Beach County at the end of February and a week-long
"geofence" social media campaign earlier this month.
U.S. Travel said it is examining future ad opportunities at
key sites associated with the 2020 election cycle, including pivotal primary
states, convention areas and debate sites.
The association employed a similar ad tactic during the 2016
election season.