AMERICA’S Corporation for Travel Promotion was created following the signing into law of the Travel Promotion Act in 2010 aimed at helping the US to gain a greater share of the global travel market.
Now the organisation, which is a non-profit corporation created by Congress, has named longtime hospitality leader Jim Evans as its first CEO.
With decades of experience in the industry Evans has previously served as president and CEO of Best Western International and senior vice president of marketing at Hyatt Hotels and his appointment was welcomed by industry leaders.
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said: “Promoting tourism is an important part of the president’s National Export Initiative and the overall US economy and we are fortunate to have Jim’s leadership in growing this industry. I look forward to working with him to bring more visitors to our country.“
Stephen Cloobeck, chairman of the corporation’s board of directors, added: “After considering dozens of candidates, Jim stood out to us as one of the most accomplished executives in the industry and he is the board’s unanimous choice to build America’s first national programme to attract international travel.“
Travel and tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries.
Within the US the industry is currently the nation’s largest services sector export representing 25 per cent of service exports and seven per cent of all US exports.