ESTO annually brings together tourism professionals from across the United States for three days of focused educational sessions on emerging trends and tools in destination marketing, with opportunities to share best practices among colleagues and discuss pressing issues and opportunities facing the travel and tourism industry as it continues to build its recovery.
Roger joined U.S. Travel in 2005 following a successful 34-year career at Marriott International. Though Roger often joked that he had no experience in lobbying prior to taking on the job as travel’s top advocate, his sharp business acumen, vast network of contacts and decades of experience created a lasting impact on the U.S. travel industry.
Eliminating tests and speeding up visas for tourists are a priority for the US travel industry.
“The time is now for the Biden administration to eliminate the pre-departure testing requirement for vaccinated travelers and fully reopen our borders” , U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, Roger Dow, said
“Today's announcement is a positive step in the right direction to restore the travel industry workforce. However, as millions of jobs remain open, it is evident that the workforce shortage is holding back the recovery of industries across the economy, especially in Leisure & Hospitality"
Given travel's slow economic recovery, and in light of the improved public health metrics in the US and medical advancements to prevent the worst outcomes of COVID-19, the Biden administration should now take steps to normalize travel conditions, which include repealing both the pre- departure testing requirement for vaccinated inbound air travelers and the federal mask mandate for public transportation, among other key policies.
“U.S. Travel Association has a clear vision: in working closely with Tourism Diversity Matters, we aim to help the travel sector achieve a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive industry for all,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO, U.S. Travel Association and board member, Tourism Diversity Matters.
Gina Raimondo, the department secretary, said the administration is working very hard to get Congress to pass the American Jobs Plan, which she called “very relevant’ to travel as it involves infrastructure, jobs, training, parks and clean water – all very relevant to travel.
