Key Speakers

The Honorable Colin Allred

U.S. Representative (TX-32)

Discussion Summary

During a roundtable at the Omni Dallas Hotel, located in the heart of the downtown district, members of the travel community highlighted the significant contributions of travel to the Dallas community, which welcomed 27.7 million visitors in 2019, generating $608 million in state and local tax revenue and supported 65,000 jobs.

The group discussed Brand USA and the importance of international travel to Dallas, which sees $8.8 billion in economic impact from international visitors alone, from top source markets in Canada, Mexico, India, China and the United Kingdom. The group also discussed the importance of the JOLT Act (H.R.2187), a bill to change the name of the Visa Waiver Program to the Secure Travel Partnership Program and waive the refusal rate requirement for the program.

The conversation then turned to the importance of road, rail, and airport infrastructure investments. Dallas currently has some of the most congested traffic corridors in the state, following Houston and its main airport, DFW, is currently the second busiest airport in the world behind Atlanta. Additional investments in this infrastructure will ensure that Dallas can continue to welcome visitors safely while providing a positive travel experience. 

Attendees

  • David DuBois, President, International Association of Exhibitions & Events
  • Sean Donohue, CEO, DFW Airport
  • Wanda Granier, CEO, BridgeWork Partners
  • Jennifer Staubach Gates, Dallas City Councilmember
  • Treon Glenn, U.S. Travel Association
  • John Imaizumi, Managing Director, Omni Hotel Dallas
  • Phillip Jones, President/CEO, Visit Dallas
  • Paul Mayer, CEO, Garland Chamber of Commerce
  • Gary Sanchez, Director of Public Affairs, Visit Dallas
  • Dan Surrette, Omni Hotels

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