WASHINGTON: Some 15 executives from companies associated with the tourism industry, such as American Express and Marriott , have urged the US government to renew federal funding of Brand USA, which promotes the United States as a travel destination.
The country has seen slower growth in tourism in recent years, versus global growth, and the part-public body Brand USA is"critical to the US effectively competing for lucrative international tourism dollars", industry group US Travel Association said in a statement on Wednesday .Executives from companies such as Seaworld Parks & Entertainment and Carnival Cruise Line were also among those calling for federal funding of Brand USA, the statement shows.
The organisation receives a part of the fees collected from foreign visitors, but the US Congress approved a budget agreement in 2018 to divert this away from the program, in a move the Travel Association describes as a strong signal that the future of Brand USA may be in jeopardy.Brand USA's funding from fees would be cut after its current authorization expires in 2020.
After a year marked by falling Chinese tourist numbers that alarmed hoteliers and retailers, Brand USA recruited Chinese pop star Jane Zhang in August to front a campaign on the Weibo social network to turn around the drop in tourists from the Asian nation amid an acrimonious trade war.