U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) has been named co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, the bipartisan body of 23 members that champions efforts to increase and support travel to and within the United States. He joins Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who also serves as caucus co-chair.
Senator Moran steps into the co-chair role previously held by former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt.
“It’s always a joy to share the beauty of a sunset in the Flint Hills or the boyhood home and library of President Eisenhower in Abilene,” said Sen. Moran. “Tourism helps drive economic investment in local communities, and as co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, I look forward to working with my colleagues to promote policies to reduce barriers to travel, bolster the travel industry and support the safety and access of travelers across America.”
Senator Moran’s appointment—announced during the 40th anniversary of National Travel and Tourism Week—comes at a crucial moment for an industry that generated $2.6 trillion in economic output last year. Travel is an essential driver of the U.S. economy and workforce and plays a key role in fueling other industries such as manufacturing, healthcare and education—with efforts that propel the U.S. economy forward.
All sectors of travel—domestic leisure, business/meetings/events, and international inbound visitation—create and support jobs for nearly 15 million American workers.
“Travel and tourism are crucial to strengthening the economy in communities in every state,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “I look forward to working alongside Senator Moran to support workers and businesses across the country and ensure America remains the best place in the world to visit.”
“Senator Moran is a champion and ally of travel, and we look forward to continuing a productive relationship on a range of issues to advance and protect this essential industry,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO, U.S. Travel Association. “The voice of Senator Moran, Senator Klobuchar and each member serving on the caucus is critically important to ensuring our government and industry are effective partners in addressing challenges and helping travel grow and thrive.”
The Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus is a key voice on a range of issues of importance to travel, including efforts to reduce U.S. visitor visa wait times and increase international visitation, ensuring the entry experience is appropriately resourced with CBP and TSA officials, and helping provide for the workforce needs of the travel industry, among others.
