Bill Overview
Title: Visit America Act
Description: This bill implements measures to support the U.S. travel and tourism industry and to address the declining percentage of international visitors to the United States. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Commerce to develop a 10-year travel and tourism strategy with annual goals for the number of international visitors to the United States and for tourism commerce. The bill also establishes the role of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism, whose responsibilities shall include setting an annual goal for the number of international visitors to the United States and facilitating international business travel to the United States. Further, the assistant secretary must develop and implement a COVID-19 pandemic recovery strategy to assist the recovery of the U.S. travel and tourism industry. The bill also provides statutory authority for the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which shall aid the assistant secretary in developing and implementing the COVID-19 pandemic recovery strategy.
Sponsors: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Target Audience
Population: People who travel internationally to the United States
Estimated Size: 15000000
- The United States receives millions of international visitors every year; in 2019, there were over 79.3 million international visitors.
- The Visit America Act focuses on increasing the number of international tourists visiting the United States, thus impacting people globally who travel to or plan to travel to the United States.
- By improving visa processing and setting annual visitor goals, the bill will make the United States a more attractive and accessible travel destination for international tourists.
- The legislation will impact tourism service providers, such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation services, both directly and indirectly in the US.
- The U.S. travel and tourism industry was significantly affected by COVID-19, further emphasizing the importance of a recovery strategy.
- Tourism-dependent regions and businesses in the US will see an impact in terms of economic recovery and job creation from increased international tourism.
- The bill also targets improvements in travel exports, impacting producers of goods and services sold to foreign visitors.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to increase international visitors which directly affects the tourism industry in the U.S. This includes positive economic impacts such as more jobs in the service sector, more sales for businesses catering to tourists, and broader economic benefits for regions dependent on tourism.
- Improvements in visa processing could reduce barriers for potential visitors, making the U.S. a more attractive destination, thus positively impacting those in visa-related businesses and consulates.
- The COVID-19 pandemic recovery strategy is crucial as the sector was heavily affected, aiming to restore jobs and business revenues.
- Some people not directly involved in tourism might see no significant change due to this policy.
Simulated Interviews
Hotel Manager (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increase in international tourists will definitely boost our occupancy rates and hotel revenues.
- Better visa processing can lead to more guests and more business connections.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Restaurant Owner (Miami, Florida)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- International tourists are critical to our business; more tourists mean more diners.
- I hope the policy includes marketing support for local businesses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Tour Guide (New York City, New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Post COVID-19 recovery is essential for getting back to previous tourist numbers.
- The policy's focus on increasing visitor numbers is promising for my tours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Theme Park Administrator (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The strategy for international visitor growth is crucial for us.
- Improved international image and promotion can help us significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Airlines Flight Attendant (San Francisco, California)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More flights and passengers mean better job security and benefits.
- Visa changes could increase European and Asian routes, which are beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Freelance Musician (Nashville, Tennessee)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Boosting tourism could bring crowds back to venues.
- It's vital to preserve live music scenes post-pandemic; tourism supports that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Machine Parts Manufacturer (Austin, Texas)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More tourist attractions mean more orders for us hopefully.
- Indirect benefits are significant even if we're not in hospitality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Travel Blogger (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased interest in U.S. destinations keeps my content relevant and profitable.
- I'm excited about the prospect of more global interest in U.S. travel.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Student (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More tourists mean more job opportunities after graduation.
- Policy seems beneficial for my future career in the field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An increase in tourists might mean more bookings, though I don't rely on it for income.
- Not directly important to me but could be a nice side benefit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $80000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $82000000 (Low: $71000000, High: $93000000)
Year 3: $84000000 (Low: $72000000, High: $95000000)
Year 5: $89000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $100000000)
Year 10: $100000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $115000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $175000000)
Key Considerations
- The cost of implementing the strategy is subject to change depending on administrative efficiency and scope adjustments.
- Macro-economic conditions, such as a global recession, could affect international tourism levels and related benefits.
- Changes in visa policies and international relations could impact the number of visitors.
- The extent of recovery from the pandemic will shape the immediate and long-term outcomes of this policy.