After all the politics and posturing associated with the $1.7 trillion government funding package, it can be easy to miss some of the budget line items in the 4,155-page bill. To report that the omnibus spending bill includes big wins for both travelers and the travel industry.

Among the highlights is a new assistant secretary of travel and tourism position within the U.S. Department of Commerce that will focus on the country's $1.1 trillion travel industry.

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on passage of the government-wide funding bill, which includes the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act establishing a new Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce: 

“This is a tremendous win for travelers, the travel industry and America’s economy".

“The idea to create a presidentially appointed, U.S. Senate-confirmed position to lead federal travel policy has been around for decades. Thanks to a bipartisan and bicameral group of congressional leaders, the United States will now join all G20 countries with a senior federal official focused on travel".

“The Assistant Secretary will play an important role as we partner with government to lower visitor visa wait times, modernize security screening and leverage new technologies to make travel more seamless and secure”.

The U.S. Travel Association thanks Senate Commerce Chair Cantwell and Ranking Member Wicker, Senate Subcommittee Chair on Travel and Tourism Rosen and Ranking Member R. Scott, Senator Sullivan and Representatives Titus and Kuster, as well as all of the bill’s sponsors for their efforts to ensure the passage of the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act.