U.S. Department of Homeland Security And Other White House Officials Met With Business Leaders To Discuss Growing Tourism While Protecting U.S. Borders

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior Administration Economic Advisors met yesterday with travel industry leaders from across the U.S. to discuss ways to promote tourism and stimulate economic growth. With 39.69 million visitors in 2013, Las Vegas remains in the top ten tourist destinations in the U.S. 

Senior policy advisors from the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other White House officials, met with business leaders to discuss the state of tourism from a business and policy perspective. Administration officials and business leaders view the forum as an essential step in growing tourism. There is a direct connection between streamlined procedures at airports, security and safety felt by those visiting the U.S., and the success of tourism and stabilizing the U.S. economy. 

Alan Waxler, President, AWG AMBASSADOR, LLC and AWG Destination Services, a Las Vegas business owner and tourism professional for nearly 40 years, was a participant as senior administration officials provided a briefing on improving customs and other border procedures that visitors face when coming to the U.S.  Administration officials provided an update on the economy and discussed how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other agencies work to promote tourism while protecting U.S. borders. Discussions included upgrading airports and other points of entry. 

"This was a rare opportunity for business leaders to meet with officials directly affecting policy. We provided insight into the day to day service of tourists, and we received a broad perspective of what is being done on a national and global level to ensure the safety of visitors to the U.S.  As a tourism professional, our role is to entertain, but safety and security is always present and a priority." Alan Waxler, President AWG Ambassador.

"Partnerships between government and industry are benefitting the entire travel and tourism sector. The Obama administration is committed to building upon the efforts of these partnerships and exploring new alliances as we strive to meet the ambitious goals of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy to attract 100 million visitors to the United States by 2021." Ken Hyatt, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.

Senior White House officials who participated in the briefing included:
Dr. Mark Doms, Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce
Ali Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Ken Hyatt, Acting Undersecretary, International Trade Administration
Ed Ramotowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State
John Pistole, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Kevin McAleenan, Acting Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Jonathan Jarvis, Director, National Park Service
Bruce Andrews, Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce 
Brandon Belford, Senior Policy Advisor, National Economic Council
Sam Brown, Director, White House Business Council

SOURCE SCM