The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association was the sole LGBT
organization included in a discussion between U.S. travel industry
leaders and senior administration officials at the White House on March
20. The briefing highlighted ways to promote U.S. tourism by improving
customs and other border procedures that foreign visitors face when they
visit the United States.
Administration officials gave an update on the economy and discussed
how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other agencies work to
promote tourism while protecting borders. The briefing included a
discussion on ways to improve tourists’ experiences by upgrading U.S.
points of entry as well as panels on infrastructure development and
travel promotion.
“It was an honor to receive an invitation to this meeting. It
demonstrates the administration’s ongoing commitment to LGBT inclusion
and the increased importance placed on LGBT travel,” said IGLTA
President/CEO John Tanzella, who represented the association at the
White House. “I was able to engage in some frank dialogue about the need
for better treatment of same-sex couples as they go through U.S.
customs.”
Leaders from several IGLTA member businesses and partner
organizations were included: the United States Tour Operators
Association, American Airlines, NYC & Company, Choose Chicago, LA
Convention & Visitors Board, and the American Society of Travel
Agents.
“Partnerships between government and industry are benefiting the
entire travel and tourism sector,” said Ken Hyatt, Acting Under
Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. “The Obama administration
is committed to building upon the efforts of these partnerships and
exploring new alliances as we strive to meet the ambitious goals of the
National Travel and Tourism Strategy to attract 100 million visitors to
the United States by 2021.”
Senior White House officials who participated in the briefing
included: Dr. Mark Doms, Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, U.S.
Department of Commerce; Ali Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; Ken Hyatt, Acting Undersecretary, International
Trade Administration; Ed Ramotowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau
of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State; John Pistole,
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; Kevin McAleenan, Acting Deputy Commissioner, U.S.
Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Jonathan Jarvis, Director, National Park Service; Bruce Andrews, Chief
of Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce; Brandon Belford, Senior Policy
Advisor, National Economic Council; and Sam Brown, Director, White House
Business Council.