Press Releases

IAAPA President Clark Robinson Addresses the Bush Administration's Tourism Policy Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA (USA) (Oct. 3, 2002) – Today, IAAPA President Clark Robinson addressed the Administration's Tourism Policy Council (TPC). The TPC, chaired by the Department of Commerce, is an interagency group of approximately fifteen agencies established to ensure that the nation's tourism interests are considered in federal decision-making. It coordinates national policies and programs relating to travel and tourism.

Robinson educated the group on the amusement industry generally. He also informed them about business post-9/11 and the 2002 season generally. He raised the following policy issues with the group.

Travel America Support. Foreign visitors are significant to our destination theme park business, often staying longer and spending more per capita than their American counterparts. Administration support for the "travel America" message is valuable. Establishment of the Office of Global Communications in the White House offers an opportunity to inform and educate the world about our nation. America's entertainment and amusement industry captures the independence and freedom that makes our country unique. Any federally-backed overseas campaign that spreads that message worldwide inviting people to experience our culture, entertainment and parks firsthand would greatly benefit our industry and country. We would be happy to work with the White House and Department of Commerce in developing this.

Government-funded matching grant advertising programs supporting travel and tourism, like that Governor Bush initiated in Florida after 9-11, have been extraordinarily effective. We would encourage the government to consider whether federal investment substantially leveraged with state and industry dollars might be beneficial to the overall health of our economy.

Visitor Visas. The Immigration and Naturalization (INS) is currently proposing to decrease the length of time visitors are allowed to remain in the country. Under this new proposal, INS inspectors would determine the actual length of stay on a case-by-case basis. The default would be 30 days. Obviously, INS inspectors should have discretion to deny entry to questionable entrants in the name of security. This proposal would add a degree of uncertainty that would discourage families from visiting the United States, however, and many of our destination parks are visited by foreign guests whose visits to our country exceed 30 days.

We believe the INS should establish a default period of 90 days, with an opportunity to apply for an extension. Note that this would coincide with the Visa waiver program.

Work Visas. Amusement parks make extensive use of the J-1 summer travel/work visa program.

International students come to experience our culture, improve English skills and learn job skills. Parks play a prominent role in this program and, in turn, these students provide a valuable workforce - especially in August, when many of our American summer employees return to school. We urge the government to talk with business before initiating any changes in the work visa program. We believe the government should focus on unwanted visitors rather than casting too wide a net that would adversely affect the many businesses that rely on foreign visitors and student workers without noticeably increasing our nation's security.

Terrorism Insurance. We thank the Administration for its efforts to pass, and sign into law, a terrorism insurance bill this year. Our members are experiencing difficulty obtaining the insurance and where they can obtain it, rates have increased tremendously. We welcome your help in urging Congress to pass the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.

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IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org