America’s Travel Community Welcomes Obama Cabinet Picks

The greatest challenge facing the incoming administration is to protect the homeland while strengthening America’s economy and image in the world. President-elect Obama took a major step forward on that front in his nominations for foreign policy, national security and commerce this week.

America’s travel community welcomes the introduction of Senator Hillary Clinton and Dr. Susan Rice as the President-elect’s choices for Secretary of State and Ambassador to the United Nations, respectively, and Governors Napolitano and Richardson for Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Commerce.

Both Senator Clinton and Dr. Rice have acknowledged the value of public diplomacy in enhancing the soft power of the United States and strengthening America’s image in the world. The facilitation of travel enhances America’s public diplomacy efforts in a unique way: through people-to-people diplomacy. The millions of international travelers who visit the United States each year to conduct business, attend school, or enjoy a vacation help to shape public opinion in their home countries when they return. Surveys show that those who have visited the United States are 74 percent more likely to have a favorable opinion of America and support U.S. policies.

When it comes to protecting the homeland, Governor Napolitano understands from firsthand experience how America’s borders represent the intersection of security and prosperity, and that striking the right balance between the two is essential. The visa and entry system reforms enacted over the last two years prove that smart policies can increase security while facilitating greater cross-border travel.

Finally, we are pleased that a leader of Governor Richardson’s caliber has been selected to head a cabinet department that is positioned to play such a critical role in revitalizing the U.S. economy.  America’s $1.8 trillion travel economy employs one out of every eight U.S. workers in domestic jobs that cannot be outsourced.  Governor Richardson understands that travel and tourism is a significant source for U.S. jobs and an economic engine for America’s state and local economies.

America’s travel community salutes President-elect Obama for his wise choices and looks forward to working with Senator Clinton, Dr. Rice, Governor Napolitano and Governor Richardson on improving America’s travel system to better serve the economic, public diplomacy and national security needs of the United States.