U.S. Travel Association participated in a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour event with Congresswoman Laurel Lee, Visit Tampa Bay, and local leaders at Port Tampa Bay on May 23. The discussion focused on the travel industry’s contributions to the local economy, businesses, and workforce.
Tori Emerson Barnes, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy at U.S. Travel, stated that the meeting was an opportunity to highlight travel’s impact on Tampa Bay. Barnes noted that addressing visa backlogs and modernizing travel infrastructure are key priorities for supporting regional growth.
Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, emphasized the tourism industry’s importance to Hillsborough County’s economy. He mentioned that it supports over 61,000 jobs and contributes nearly $9.4 billion in economic impact along with $636 million in state and local taxes. Corrada expressed appreciation for working with Congresswoman Lee to protect Brand USA’s funding and enhance global competitiveness through strategic marketing.
The event highlighted opportunities to strengthen the U.S. travel industry by focusing on upcoming events to drive economic growth and improving visa processing times. Leaders discussed creating better airport customs experiences, investing in screening technology, and enhancing travel infrastructure for long-term competitiveness.
U.S. Travel Association is a national non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry in the United States.
