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Travel & Tourism
Our team of U.S. and international industry specialists are dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry, expanding market access, and increasing exports. The Travel & Tourism Team uses our presence in 200 global cities to help you foster new business relationships and expand the world-wide presence of U.S. firms.
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Statistics & Research Programs
The National Travel and Tourism Office is the official U.S. government source for travel and tourism statistics.
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Current U.S. Government Coronavirus Information

National Travel and Tourism Office

National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO)

In addition to providing statistics, the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) creates a positive climate for growth in travel and tourism by reducing institutional barriers to tourism, administers joint marketing efforts, provides official travel and tourism statistics, and coordinates efforts across federal agencies through the Tourism Policy Council. The Office works to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry and increase its exports, thereby creating U.S. employment and economic growth. 

2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy

The Department of Commerce, on behalf of the federal interagency Tourism Policy Council, is launching the new National Travel and Tourism Strategy (Strategy) to recover and rebuild a U.S. travel and tourism industry that is more inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and resilient, positioning the sector to drive economic development and export revenue. The Strategy seeks to utilize the full efforts of the federal government to promote the United States as a premiere destination that is representative of the breadth and diversity of its communities, and to foster a sector that creates good jobs for more Americans and is a positive force for sustainability.  

2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy

FACT SHEET: 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy

Press Release: Secretary Raimondo Announces New National Strategy to Reenergize U.S. Travel and Tourism

Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB)

The United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. The Board advises the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems. Visit the TTAB page

Brand USA

NTTO is the official liaison to  Brand USA for the U.S. federal government. The Corporation for Travel Promotion (Brand USA) has a multi-language consumer website available whose primary purpose is to provide international travelers with a “one-stop shop” for travel information about the United States. This public-private partnership allows thousands of U.S. travel and tourism industry organizations to be exposed to traveling consumers around the globe, providing them with additional export assistance resources. It covers all 50 states, the five U.S. territories and hundreds of U.S. destinations. Visit the Brand USA page. 

Intergovernmental Organizations

NTTO represents U.S. tourism interests in intergovernmental organizations to lead the global efforts for travel and tourism policy concerns and issues, including chairing the Tourism Committee for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development  

It also serves as the USG official head delegate to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Working Group and the official U.S. government observer and participant on committees and activities of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

TI News

TI News is an information service from NTTO providing up to date Travel and Tourism Industry news. Visit TI News. 

NTTO Staff Directory

Brian Beall
Director, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism 

Julie Heizer
Deputy Director
(202) 482-4904
Email Julie Heizer

Jennifer Aguinaga
Deputy Director, Policy and Planning
(202) 482-2404
Email Jennifer Aguinaga

Melissa Bennett
Administration
(202) 482-4004
Email Melissa Bennett

Richard Champley
Program Manager & Senior Research Analyst 
(202) 482-4753 
Email Richard Champley

Curt Cottle
Policy and Planning 
(202) 482-4601
Email Curt Cottle

Christina Gay 
International Trade Specialist
(202) 482-4257
Email Christina Gay

Rafael Gabriel
Economist, Research
(202) 482-4555
Email Rafael Gabriel

David Huether
Deputy Director, Research
(202) 482-1757
Email David Huether

Veronica Milosz
Economist 
Email Veronica Milosz

Margie Parker 
Program Assistant
(202) 482-2408 
Email Margie Parker

Frank Spector
Deputy Director, Operations
(202) 482-2054
Email Frank Spector

Schermin Smiley
Administration
(202) 482-4866
Email Schermin Smiley

John Terpening 
Economist
(202) 482-6390
Email John Terpening

Fraudulent Email Alert

We are aware of an individual fraudulently claiming to represent ITA in order to solicit personal information. Individuals have reported receiving emails and phone calls “regarding a possible recent scam involving your vacation property.” The recipient is then instructed to complete a complaint form with personal information to receive support from ITA.

This is a scam and was not sent by ITA or any of its employees. If you receive such a communication, please do not respond or provide any personal information. 

If you believe that you have been a target to such a scam, please notify the Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General, immediately and file a report.