Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today touted the Senate’s reauthorization of Brand USA through 2027. Thanks to Senator Cortez Masto’s efforts, language authorizing a seven-year extension of the tourism promotion program was included in the federal funding package passed by the Senate and is now headed to the President. The senator has been a staunch advocate for Brand USA and introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this year to save the program, which was set to expire next September.
“Brand USA has a proven track record of boosting international tourism and creating good-paying jobs in Nevada. Restoring long-term funding to this program, at no cost to the taxpayer, ensures we’re doing everything possible to support the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans who work in the tourism and hospitality industries. I’m pleased by the passage of the Brand USA reauthorization, and I’ll continue fighting to grow the Silver State’s tourism industry and support the families and communities who rely on it.”
BACKGROUND:
Senator Cortez Masto has been a strong advocate for continued funding of Brand USA. Earlier this year, she was recognized with U.S. Travel’s Distinguished Travel Champion Award for her leadership on this issue. Working with a bipartisan coalition in both the House and Senate, Senator Cortez Masto also led a letter with 47 senators requesting the timely passage of Brand USA’s extension. Then, in July, the senator introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize Brand USA through 2027.
Since 2013, Brand USA has brought 6.6 million international visitors to the United States, generating a total economic impact of nearly $48 billion and supporting an average of around 52,000 jobs annually, without costing taxpayers a dime. In 2018, Brand USA generated $4.1 billion in international visitor spending, resulting in a marketing return on investment of 32:1.