More than 20 members of Congress visit ‘Travel Works’ coffee truck during kickoff

WASHINGTON (May 12, 2023)—Travel Works for America—a national advocacy tour designed to highlight the $2.6 trillion economic impact and far-reaching contributions created by travel—relaunched this week in the Washington, DC, region.

“Our Travel Works activations will take the powerful message of the industry’s impact on the American economy from Capitol Hill to cities across the nation, demonstrating for lawmakers and community leaders how travel benefits not only their regions but also other sectors within the economy,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.

The May 10 kickoff—held during the 40th anniversary of National Travel and Tourism Week—began Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington before a stop at the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, which was followed by a Thursday rally with Destination DC in downtown Washington’s Franklin Park and a visit to Old Town in Alexandria, VA. 

At its first stop, a branded Travel Works food truck served coffee and donuts—along with a message that travel fuels the American economy—to morning commuters, Capitol Hill staffers and more than 20 members of Congress near U.S. House of Representatives office buildings.

Among the elected officials stopping by the morning kickoff were Rep. Diaz Balart (R-FL), Rep. Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Rep. Letlow (R-LA), Rep. LaHood (R-IL), Rep. McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Amodei (R-NV), Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL), Chm. Hudson (R-NC), Rep. Moore (R-UT) and Chm. Smith (R-MO).

(Left) Chairman Jason Smith (left), Tori Emerson Barnes (right).

(Right) Tori Emerson Barnes (left), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (middle) and Erik Hansen (right).

At Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, representatives from U.S. Travel, Visit Baltimore and the National Aquarium handed out refreshments and spread the word about travel’s role in powering Charm City.

Margot Amelia, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, National Aquarium (right), and the National Aquarium team.

The final capital area Travel Works stop in Old Town Alexandria, VA, featured a tour through the historic city with Visit Alexandria.

City of Alexandria Councilman John Taylor Chapman (left), Nicole Porter (middle) and Visit Alexandria President & CEO Patricia Washington (right).

U.S. Travel is planning other Travel Works stops in additional cities and states this year, including, among others:

•             • Charleston, SC
•             • Boston, MA
•             • Detroit, MI
•             • Savannah, GA
•             • Orlando, FL

The Travel Works for America roadshow first launched in 2019 with stops in St. Louis and Columbus, OH.

Learn more about travel’s essential economic contributions.

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.2 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation’s economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.