Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, this week introduced legislation
that would establish a competitive grant program to promote
domestic regional tourism, according to a press release from his
office.
Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, this week introduced legislation that would establish a competitive grant program to promote domestic regional tourism, according to a press release from his office.
“We can’t turn around without hearing someone talk about the need for job creation, and we all know how important tourism is to the Central Coast,” said Rep. Farr, co-chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, made up of more than 100 Members of Congress. “The travel and tourism industry is one of the top industries in every single congressional district across the country, and it has the potential to be one of the largest vehicles for job creation as our economy continues to recover.”
The Travel Regional Investment Partnership Act, or the TRIP Act, directs the secretary of commerce to create a grant program designed to promote domestic regional tourism growth and new domestic tourism market creation. The bill authorizes $10 million in competitive grants, to range between $100,000 and $1 million each, to accomplish those goals, according to Farr.
“We know how important the travel and tourism industry is to our economy,” Farr said. “It supports more than eight million jobs and accounts for four times the rate of GDP than the automotive industry. But in 2009 alone, we saw a decrease of $130 billion in the industry. This bill is a serious job-builder, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get it passed.”
The grant program will apply to convention and visitors bureaus as well as partnerships between state or local governments and local tourism entities. Groups will be required to provide matching funds for the projects.
