The U.S. travel and tourism sector is poised for continued growth, and to guide this vital industry, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has officially announced the appointees for the 2023-2024 term of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB). This board comprises 32 prominent leaders from across the diverse landscape of American travel and tourism, bringing together expertise from businesses and organizations nationwide.
Secretary Raimondo emphasized the critical role of the travel and tourism industry in the nation’s economy, stating, “Travel and tourism returned with force in 2022 as we opened up our country once again to visitors from around the globe.” She further acknowledged the proactive steps taken by the Commerce Department to bolster the industry’s recovery under the Biden Administration. The TTAB is expected to be a crucial component in this ongoing effort, providing invaluable recommendations and insights to refine and enhance the American travel experience.
Established in 2003, the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board has consistently served as a vital advisory body, re-chartered nine times to date. Its mandate is to counsel the Secretary of Commerce on governmental policies and programs that significantly impact the travel and tourism industry. The board’s guidance is instrumental in navigating both current challenges and emerging trends, all with the overarching goal of fostering sustainable growth within this essential economic engine. Historically, TTAB has addressed a wide spectrum of critical issues, offering expertise on travel facilitation, visa policies, infrastructure development, aviation security protocols, tourism research initiatives, and the crucial aspects of climate and economic sustainability.
The newly appointed members for the 2023-2024 term represent a broad spectrum of the travel and tourism industry. This diverse group is composed of leaders from state and regional economic development agencies, various types of businesses, and influential tourism organizations. The members are:
- Reggie Aggarwal, Founder and CEO, Cvent
- Balram Bheodari, Aviation General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Adam Burke, President and CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
- Brian Chesky, Cofounder and CEO, Airbnb
- Julie Coker, President and CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority
- Brad Dean, CEO, Discover Puerto Rico
- Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line
- Fred Felleman, Commissioner, Port of Seattle
- Liz Fitzsimmons, Managing Director, Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism and Film
- Matt Goldberg, President and CEO, Tripadvisor, Inc.
- Mufi Hannemann, President and CEO, Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association
- Russ Hedge, President and CEO, Hostelling International USA
- Bill Hornbuckle, President and CEO, MGM Resorts International
- Peter Ingram, President and CEO, Hawaiian Airlines
- Stephanie Jones, Founder and CEO, Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance
- Andrew Leary, Director of Sustainable Tourism and Partnerships, Leave No Trace
- Eric Lipp, Founder and Executive Director, Open Doors Organization
- Casandra Matej, President and CEO, Visit Orlando
- Peter Millones, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Booking Holdings, Inc.
- Will Morey, President and CEO, The Morey Organization
- Tricia Primrose, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Communications & Public Affairs Officer, Marriott International
- Lana Ramos, Vice President, Marketing and Community Relations, Locally Grown Restaurants
- Carroll Rheem, Founder and CEO, iolite group
- Dan Richards, Founder and CEO, The Global Rescue Companies
- Adam Sacks, President, Tourism Economics
- John Sage, President, Accessible Travel Solutions
- Stephen Scherr, CEO, Hertz Corporation
- Greg Schulze, Senior Vice President, Strategic Travel Partners, Expedia
- Monica Smith, President and CEO, Southeast Tourism Society
- Jerry Tan, President and CEO, Tan Holdings
- Donald “D” Taylor, President, UNITE HERE
- Peter van Berkel, President, Travalco USA, Inc.
The National Travel and Tourism Office, a division of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, will act as the Executive Secretariat for the TTAB, ensuring smooth operations and communication. For any inquiries or comments regarding the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, interested parties are encouraged to reach out via email at [email protected].
