NTA Praises Proposed “Local Government and Traveler Assistance Act of 2004”

September 20, 2004

NTA Praises Proposed "Local Government and Traveler Assistance Act of 2004"
National Tour Association Praises Proposed September 20, 2004 – (Lexington, Ky.) – The National Tour Association and the NTA Grassroots Action Network praises the recent action to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 in the Department of Homeland Security for Local Government and Tourism.

At the urging of NTA and its allied associations, Congressman Jon Porter (R-Nev.) introduced the "Local Government and Traveler Assistance Act of 2004" (HR 5007). The legislation would create an Undersecretary for Local Government and Tourism in the Department of Homeland Security. This official would be the third-highest-ranking officer in the Department of Homeland Security and provide a valuable link to the travel and tourism industry from this important government agency.

NTA, through its Grassroots Action Network, is urging other members of Congress to co-sponsor HR 5007.

"Members of Congress need to hear from the industry right now. Having an Undersecretary in the Department of Homeland Security with a tourism focus will ensure that our voice is heard on important safety and security measures, now and in the future," said NTA Legislative Counsel Jim Santini.

NTA President Hank Phillips, CTP added "This is a huge step forward in NTA and our partners’ efforts to create a voice for the traveler and the travel industry within Homeland Security."

NTA has pressed for a tourism presence within the Department of Homeland Security since fall 2001.

The National Tour Association is an organization of nearly 4,000 tourism professionals from 25 countries representing the packaged travel industry. NTA provides unsurpassed business opportunities, knowledge and information to businesses involved in tour operator packaged travel. NTA also serves as a consumer advocate through its code of ethics, stringent membership requirements and education. For more information, visit http://preseason.ntaonline.com/.

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