WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has been named co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus – a bipartisan group of 23 senators that champions efforts to increase and support travel to and within the United States. He joins Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) as caucus co-chair. Sen. Moran steps into the co-chair role previously held by former Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).
“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.”
Sen. 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, health care and education – with efforts that propel the U.S. economy forward. All sectors of travel 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.”
“We are thrilled to have Senator Moran, a champion for the travel and tourism industry, in our corner as the Senate Travel Caucus co-chair,” said Melissa Dixon, president, Travel Industry Association of Kansas.
“Senator Moran understands the importance of the tourism industry in Kansas,” said Holly Lofton, president-elect, Travel Industry Association of Kansas. “He will represent travel as an economic driver effectively, not only for Kansas but also for the nation, as the Co-Chair of the Senate Travel Caucus.”
“Senator Moran has been a leading advocate for the tourism industry across our nation and in Kansas for years,” said Jim Zaleski, former president, Travel Industry Association of Kansas. “It is an honor to know he will be serving as Co-Chair of the Senate Travel Caucus as he represents our great state in Washington DC.”
“Kansan Dwight D. Eisenhower championed the Interstate System, which enabled people to travel the country easily,” said Julie Roller Weeks, former president, Travel Industry Association of Kansas. “Now, another Kansan, Senator Jerry Moran, will continue to support the tourism industry and promote policies to reduce barriers to travel. We are excited to have Senator Moran serve as co-chair of the Senate Travel Caucus and know he will make Ike and Kansans proud. Travel supports local tourism and creates direct economic value for communities.”
“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 important to travel, including efforts to reduce U.S. visitor visa wait times and increase international visitation, making certain the entry experience is appropriately resourced with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials and helping provide for the workforce needs of the travel industry.
