by eTurbo News
The U.S. Travel Association today welcomed President Obama’s decision to move forward in filling the position of Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
“America’s travel leaders are pleased with President Obama’s step today to fill this critical vacancy,” says U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow. “The Homeland Security Secretary has major responsibility in improving the safety and efficiency of travel in the United States. Security and travel are not mutually exclusive, and our hope is that Mr. Johnson will bring a balanced appreciation for the role that each plays in facilitating the travel process. In recent years, tremendous strides were made in strengthening travel security and expanding vital programs that preserved travel as a key driver of U.S. economic recovery. We look forward to continuing this progress with the next Secretary.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard, plays an important part in supporting the U.S. travel economy. Related issues of priority for U.S. Travel include advancing the JOLT Act (H.R. 1354) to increase international travel to the United States; providing greater resources to CBP to improve the entry process; and expanding trusted traveler programs like Pre✓™ and Global Entry. Travel is America’s No.1 services export, and the travel industry has added jobs faster than the rest of the economy since the U.S. economic recovery began in 2010. Decisions made by the Secretary impact the nearly 15 million American workers whose jobs depend on travel.
