Your interest is strong validation that travel and tourism is vital to our country and its prosperity.

I hope my colleagues will join me in promoting tourism and business travel, particularly as a means to stimulate our sluggish economy.

I think that is a good way to end.

Thank you, Ms. Saunders.

I think it is very important for people to know that smaller resorts and areas that aren't in the top four tourist destinations have also seen a decrease.

this Promotion Act is one of the pieces, it will have a multi-year effect if we don't do something now.

we see a lot of impact. We estimate that in some areas, we will see some 30 percent decline in our tourism business.

We really see this industry as major backbone to our economy, and we have to look at both the challenges and the opportunities ahead today.

We are clearly losing part of this international market share, some because of the economy, but some because other countries have been promoting their countries for tourism.

I am a cosponsor of the Travel Promotion Act, a measure re-introduced this week by Senator Dorgan.

it really is an industry that not only is important for our economy, but promotes, as Senator Dorgan said, promotes our country around the world.