U.S. Tourism under Commerce

While one would think tourism in the US would fall under the Department of Interior (after all, that is the home of the Parks Department) it in fact falls under the Department of Commerce. In truth, things I often think will fall under interior fall under commerce, so there must be some reasoning that escapes me...

In any event, the Commerce web site states in 2003 an advisory board was created to "develop, create, and implement of a national tourism strategy. So before that we didn't think we needed a strategy? Not really sure. It goes on to state:

"The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. The Board advises the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems."

http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/TTAB/TTAB_Home.html

According to the site the board has 15 members and they are all appointed by the Secretary and they "represent companies and organizations in the travel and tourism industry from a broad range of products and services, company sizes and geographic locations. Members serve, at the pleasure of the Secretary, from the date of appointment to the Board until the date on which the Board’s charter terminates."

It seems like the charter is renewed every two years.

Carol Starmack