WASHINGTON (March 28, 2019) – Executive Vice President of Government Affairs of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Brian Crawford issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the Secure Travel Partnership Program, formerly the Visa Waiver Program:

“Travel and tourism is a critical driver of the American economy, generating $2.3 trillion in economic output and supporting one in nine American jobs. Working with the broader travel community, the hotel industry supports policy initiatives that promote tourism, including the Secure Travel Partnership Program which will increase international business and leisure travel while simultaneously enhancing national security.

“AHLA thanks Representatives Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Tom Rice (R-S.C.), Guy Reschenthaler (R-P.A.), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) for their bipartisan legislation, which better reflects the program’s security standards and traveler benefits. We are committed to supporting efforts that maintain strong security but also continue to welcome international business and leisure travelers,” concluded Crawford.

Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest national association solely representing all segments of the eight million jobs the U.S. lodging industry supports, including brands, hotel owners, REITs, franchisees, management companies, independent properties, bed and breakfasts, state hotel associations and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA proudly represents a dynamic hotel industry of more than 54,000 properties that supports $1.1 trillion in U.S. sales and generates nearly $170 billion in taxes to local, state and federal governments.

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