Washington DC, Oct 5, 2001 - The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), endorsed the Travel America Now Act introduced in the U.S. Congress today by Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ.) and Zell Miller (D-GA), and Representatives John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) that would quickly stimulate travel in the U.S. following the terrorist attacks on September 11.

The identical Senate and House bills contain the following provisions which would provide immediate relief for U.S. travel and tourism by creating incentives for individuals and families to travel and by helping to provide cash flow to struggling businesses hurt by the attacks of September 11. TIA, which has been leading an industry coalition to restore confidence in U.S.  travel, has been lobbying for a number of new federal incentives to assist the U.S. travel and tourism industry. 

Provisions of the Travel America Now Act include:

• Temporary restoration of full deductibility for all business entertainment expenses, including meals, that are now subject to a 50 percent limitation;
• A temporary tax credit of $500 per person ($1,000 for a couple filing jointly) for personal travel expenses for travel originating in and within the United States.  This is for travel conducted or paid for through 12/31/01.
• A temporary extension of the "carry back" provision so that losses by travel businesses can be offset by previous years' profit.  Currently this look-back is two years, and this legislation would expand that to five years.

TIA and a coalition of industry organizations have launched a broad plan for recovery following the tragic events of September 11.  Key elements of the plan include: working in partnership with government to support efforts to make travel safe and secure; implementing a comprehensive advertising, public relations and communications campaign to rebuild consumer confidence in travel to and within the United States; working with the Congress and Administration in support of legislative initiatives that aid travel and tourism organizations damaged by recent events, that help keep travel industry workers working, and that stimulate consumer travel behavior leading to a quick return to normalcy.

TIA is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $582 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to represent the whole of the U.S. travel industry to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States.