CM LaBonge introduces resolution to boost international tourism

Members of Los Angeles' Asian-American community march along North Broadway in the 2008 Golden Dragon Parade.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge introduced a resolution this week to promote international tourism while maintaining secure national borders. The councilmember’s resolution supports a federal bill designed to boost international tourism, which has lagged since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The Travel Promotion Act of 2007, sponsored by U.S. Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) calls for creation of a non-profit corporation to promote the United States as a premier travel destination; clearly explain U.S. security policies and counter negative misperceptions about travel in America. It would be financed through industry contributions and a $10 fee on the visas of some foreign travelers. No American taxpayer dollars would be spent on this initiative.

“I want to share America with the world,” said Councilmember LaBonge, president of the Los Angeles Sister Cities Association. “International travel opens our eyes to the beauty and variety of our world and shows us how similar we all are.”

International travel has increased globally by nearly 20 percent since 2000, but the U.S. has seen a 17 percent decline in international tourism in that same period.

Any official position of the City of Los Angeles with respect to pending federal legislation must first have been adopted as a resolution by the City Council. The motion introduced today now goes to the City Council’s Rules and Government committee for consideration. A similar bill is pending in the Senate under S.1661., sponsored by Byron Dorgan (D-ND).