U.S. Government’s Global Tourism Tax Blitzkrieg: Travel Promotion Act (TPA)

March 1, 2010 - PRLog -- Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York – The recently passed Travel Promotion Act (TPA) is nothing more than an expansion of the federal bureaucracy and a government desperate for revenue streams placing an industry and job killing tax on the U.S. Tourism industry.  


Currently U.S. individual states, counties and local governments in cooperation with private businesses promote U.S. destinations globally.  In 1994, the entity within the U.S. Department of Commerce responsible for tourism promotions overseas was dissolved and the U.S. saw increases in tourism debunking the myth that the U.S. requires a centralized federal government tourism bureaucracy to compete globally for tourism receipts.

It is the role of the U.S. State Department and our embassies to engage their respective populations through public diplomacy campaigns which by definition includes tourism promotions.

“The irony is that national governments globally are decentralizing their tourism promotion operations placing greater responsibility and control at the local level,” said Gregory Kelly, CEO, K2 Global Communications LLC http://www.k2globalcomm.com/greg_kelly.html. “Does anyone really believe that Washington can promote and market New York City better than the current public-private partnership?”

The weak dollar is what made the U.S. an attractive destination for visitors; however, the tightened entry requirements in the name of national security encouraged many to vacation elsewhere.

The recently passed Travel Promotion Act (TPA) will do little more than turn away more travelers (revenue) with the ten-dollar tax going to the federal government rather than the local businesses and communities who are the major beneficiaries of tourism.

K2 Global Communications is a morally and socially responsible based full service public relations firm whose practice is built upon our excellent reputation for mutual regard, shared visions for a better tomorrow as well as common interests and values according to our core belief system that includes the Dignity of Life.

Our firm is comprised of a network of highly proficient professionals specializing in: Public Diplomacy, Tourism, Culture and Culinary Arts promotions.

For information on K2 Global Communications Public Relations and Marketing services visit us at http://www.k2globalcomm.com/index.html

K2 Global Communications LLC CEO Gregory Kelly’s experience includes public relations, international relations, public/government affairs, corporate communications, and relationship building from the local-to-international level.

He has worked as a U.S. Congress Assistant. He is also the former Manager of Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising for the Korea National Tourism Organization where his duties included speech writing for senior Korean government officials and establishing and maintaining working relationships with various foreign and domestic companies, government agencies and media outlets.

Mr. Kelly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York at Potsdam where he majored in political science and minored in communications.

Mr. Kelly resides in the Hudson Valley, married with one daughter.

# # #

. K2 Global Communications LLC a full service international public relations firm specializing in public diplomacy, tourism and culture (culinary arts) promotions.