BUSINESS
The U.S. Travel and Tourism
Advisory Board
U.S. Travel and Tourism
Advisory Board
The following TTAB members are serving
the 2016–18 term:
Private sector professionals propose industry solutions
to the commerce secretary • George Aguel, president and CEO,
Visit Orlando
BY JULIE P. HEIZER, NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM OFFICE,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • Helane Becker, managing director,
Cowen and Company
THE U.S. TRAVEL AND TOURISM Advisory
Board serves as the advisory body to the
Commerce Department on matters relat-
ing to the travel and tourism industry in
the United States. The board advises the
commerce secretary on government poli-
cies and programs that affect U.S. travel
and tourism, offers counsel on current
and emerging issues, and provides a
forum for discussing and proposing solu-
tions to industry-related problems.
Past boards have presented commerce
secretaries with advice on a wide range
of issues facing travel and tourism,
including travel facilitation, visa policy,
infrastructure, aviation security, energy
policy and economic sustainability. The
board also offers valuable advice on the
National Travel and Tourism Strategy, a
plan launched in 2012 with the goal of
making the United States more compet-
itive as an international destination.
Secretary of Commerce
Wilbur Ross met with
the TTAB and conveyed
that the administration
understands both the
economic and diplomatic
importance of the travel
and tourism industry.
The board is composed of up to 32
members who are appointed by the
commerce secretary (see sidebar for the
current TTAB roster). Members are from
organizations in the travel industry that
represent a broad range of products and
services, company sizes, and geographic
locations. Members serve at the plea-
sure of the secretary, typically for a two-
year term. The board was chartered in
12
June 2017
2003, and because of the department’s
need for ongoing advice from industry
representatives, it has been re-chartered
six times, most recently in August 2015.
The National Travel and Tourism
Office is the TTAB’s official liaison, serv-
ing as the designated federal officer for
this advisory committee and providing
subject-matter expertise to members of
the TTAB.
In late March, Secretary of Commerce
Wilbur Ross spoke for the first time
with the TTAB to convey the administra-
tion’s support for the travel and tourism
industry and to communicate that the
administration understands both the
economic and diplomatic importance of
the industry.
To provide direction for developing
specific recommendations, the secretary
tasked the TTAB with three requests to
be met by the end of June:
1) Deliver a topline review of the
National Travel and Tourism Strategy
goals and strategies.
2) Based on that analysis, identify
the top five issues that the Commerce
Department should address to sup-
port the global competitiveness of the
industry.
3) Suggest what the administration
can do to make sure the United States
remains a welcoming destination while
at the same time ensuring our national
security.
The TTAB is set to meet in early June to
deliberate the findings and recommenda-
tions of its subcommittees. Out of this
process, a formal letter of recommenda-
tion will be sent to Secretary Ross to meet
the end of the month deadline.
Julie P. Heizer is Deputy Director,
Industry Relations, at the National
Travel and Tourism Office of the
International Trade Administration.
• Theodore Balestreri, president and CEO,
Cannery Row Company
• Bruce Charendoff, chief public policy
officer, Sabre Holdings
• Henry Cruz, senior partner, CrossBrook
Organizations
• Todd Davidson, CEO, Travel Oregon
• Brad Dean, president and CEO, Myrtle
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
• Fred Dixon, president and CEO, NYC &
Company
• Kurt Ekert, president and CEO, Carlson
Wagonlit Travel
• Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO,
Destination DC
• Mike Gallagher, co-founder and
co-chairman, City PASS
• Adam Goldstein, co-founder and CEO,
Hipmunk
• James Hagen, secretary of tourism, South
Dakota Department of Tourism
• Nick Hentschel, vice president of
business development, AmericanTours
International
• Taylor Hoang, owner, executive vice
president and chief operating officer, Pho
Cyclo
• Margaret McKeough, TTAB vice chair;
executive vice president and chief
operating officer, Metro Washington
Airports Authority
• Adam Medros, senior vice president for
global product, TripAdvisor
• Steve Morrissey, vice president of
regulatory and policy, United Airlines
• Mary Motsenbocker, president,
International Tourism Marketing
• Susan Presby, owner and director of sales,
The Mount Washington Cog Railway
• Tricia Primrose, chief global
communications and public affairs
officer, Marriott International
• Olga Ramudo, president and CEO,
Express Travel
• Sherry Rupert, executive director,
Nevada Indian Commission
• Adam Sacks, founder and president,
Tourism Economics
• Marty St. George, executive vice
president of commercial and planning,
JetBlue Airways
• Gary Schluter, general manager, RMH Tours
• John Sprouls, TTAB chair; executive vice
president and chief administrative officer,
Universal Parks and Resorts
• Greg Stubblefield, TTAB vice chair;
executive