Castor, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost International Tourism & Economic Growth – U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (.gov)

Legislative Proposal to Enhance Sustainable Economic Growth Through Tourism Promotion

Introduction and Legislative Overview

A bipartisan legislative proposal, the VISIT USA Act, has been introduced by U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor and Gus Bilirakis. The primary objective of this act is to fully fund Brand USA, the United States’ national destination marketing organization. This initiative aims to restore the organization’s capacity to attract international visitors, thereby strengthening the national economy in alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The legislation proposes to achieve this by fully allocating fees from the Visa Waiver Program’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This funding mechanism is designed to be self-sustaining, leveraging a public-private partnership model that does not rely on general taxpayer revenue.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The VISIT USA Act is fundamentally aligned with SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. By bolstering international tourism, the act seeks to stimulate significant economic activity and job creation across multiple sectors.

• Economic Stimulation: International travel is reported to generate billions of dollars in economic activity, directly contributing to national GDP.
• Job Creation: Funding for Brand USA supports tens of thousands of jobs annually, not only in tourism but also in retail, hospitality, and transportation sectors.
• Support for Local Economies: The economic benefits extend to communities of all sizes, supporting small businesses and generating local tax revenue.
• High Return on Investment: Independent analysis indicates that Brand USA’s marketing initiatives yield a strong return on investment, with each dollar spent generating multiple dollars in economic value.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The operational framework of Brand USA exemplifies SDG 17, which encourages and promotes effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships. The VISIT USA Act reinforces this model, which is crucial for achieving sustainable development objectives.

1. Public-Private Partnership Model: Brand USA operates through a collaborative structure, combining resources from both the public and private sectors.
2. Funding Mechanism: The organization is funded by nonfederal contributions from the travel and hospitality industry.
3. Governmental Support: These private contributions are matched by a designated portion of ESTA fees paid by international visitors, representing a targeted use of travel-related revenue.

Broader Contributions to Sustainable Development

Beyond its primary economic objectives, the full funding of Brand USA contributes to other interconnected SDGs, fostering holistic community development.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Increased tourism generates tax revenue that directly funds essential public services, including schools, transportation, and public safety. This strengthens the financial resilience of local communities and supports sustainable urban and rural development.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): A thriving international travel sector necessitates and supports robust and resilient infrastructure, including ports and airports, which are vital for economic connectivity and growth.

Stakeholder Endorsements and Future Outlook

The legislation has garnered significant support from a broad coalition of industry stakeholders, including the U.S. Travel Association, who view Brand USA as essential for sustaining international inbound travel. Proponents argue that restoring full funding is critical for maintaining the United States’ competitive position in the global travel market, especially with major international events such as the World Cup, America 250, and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon. The successful passage of the VISIT USA Act is positioned as a strategic investment in the nation’s long-term economic health and its capacity to achieve sustainable development objectives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article heavily emphasizes the economic benefits of international tourism, which directly aligns with SDG 8. The legislation aims to boost an industry that is a significant driver of economic growth and job creation. The text repeatedly mentions that tourism “generates billions of dollars in economic activity and supports tens of thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans,” and that it is an “economic necessity.” This focus on fostering economic activity and creating employment is central to SDG 8.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire initiative described in the article is built on a partnership model. Brand USA is explicitly identified as the “nation’s public–private destination marketing organization” that “operates through a public–private partnership model, funded by nonfederal contributions from the travel and hospitality industry and matched by a portion of ESTA fees.” The legislation itself is a bipartisan effort, further highlighting collaboration to achieve a common goal, which is the essence of SDG 17.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article connects tourism to the well-being and sustainability of local communities. It states that tourism “supports local businesses, fills hotels, and brings in tax dollars that fund schools, transportation, and public services.” Furthermore, it highlights that visitors travel not just to major cities but also to “small towns, historic sites, and national parks,” thereby supporting the economic and cultural fabric of diverse communities and helping to protect cultural and natural heritage, which are key aspects of SDG 11.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article implicitly connects a strong tourism sector to the need for robust infrastructure. It mentions that international travel “strengthens our ports and airports.” By promoting an industry that relies heavily on transportation infrastructure, the initiative supports the development and maintenance of resilient infrastructure, which is a core component of SDG 9.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.9: Promote sustainable tourism

   This target aims to “devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The VISIT USA Act is a direct policy action designed to promote tourism. The article’s focus on how this promotion “sustains good-paying jobs, supports our small businesses” and encourages visits to “cultural institutions… and natural areas” aligns perfectly with the objectives of this target.

2. Target 17.17: Encourage effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   This target encourages partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources. The article describes Brand USA as a quintessential public-private partnership, where federal action (allocating ESTA fees) is used to match “nonfederal contributions from the travel and hospitality industry.” The legislation is an effort to strengthen this specific partnership model to achieve shared economic goals.

3. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage

   By promoting travel to “cultural institutions,” “historic sites, and national parks,” the initiative helps generate revenue and awareness that can be channeled into the preservation and safeguarding of these assets. A thriving tourism industry provides an economic incentive for communities and the nation to protect their heritage, which is the goal of this target.

4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure

   The article’s mention of strengthening “ports and airports” connects to this target. A successful tourism strategy requires and supports the development of high-quality transportation infrastructure to handle the influx of international visitors, thereby contributing to broader economic development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 8.9 (Promote sustainable tourism)

  The article implies several quantitative indicators to measure the success of promoting tourism:

  • Economic Activity Generated: The article refers to “billions of dollars in economic activity” and a “strong return on investment,” suggesting that the total economic impact and revenue from tourism are key metrics.
  • Number of Jobs Supported: Progress can be measured by the number of jobs created or sustained, as the article notes that Brand USA’s initiatives have “supported tens of thousands of U.S. jobs annually.”
  • Tax Revenue Generated: The article mentions that tourism generates “significant federal, state, and local tax revenue,” which can be tracked as an indicator of its contribution to public services.
  • Number of International Visitors: The primary goal is to “attract international visitors,” making visitor arrival numbers a direct indicator of the program’s success.

• Indicators for Target 17.17 (Encourage effective partnerships)

  The article points to financial indicators for measuring the health of the partnership:

  • Amount of Public Funding Mobilized: The core of the legislation is to “fully fund Brand USA” by allocating “Visa Waiver Program Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fees.” The amount of these fees directed to the program is a clear indicator.
  • Amount of Private Sector Contribution: The model relies on matching “nonfederal contributions from the travel and hospitality industry.” The volume of these private contributions would be an indicator of the partnership’s strength and industry buy-in.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: castor.house.gov