Drew Wilson
The U.S. Travel Association named Republican U.S. Senate candidate and current U.S. Rep. David Jolly as a Distinguished Travel Champion award winner, the group said Friday.
“Rep. Jolly has clearly demonstrated his commitment to advancing well-thought, sensible measures that keep our industry strong,” Association President and CEO Roger Dow said. “We are privileged to honor him and all other Distinguished Travel Champions for their work, and hope that other political and government decision-makers will follow his lead in advocating for travel within their own districts, states, chambers and agencies.”
The group said it selected Jolly for the award based on his work on airport modernization, strengthening the visa waiver program and the renewal of Brand USA, a public-private entity that promotes U.S. travel.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this national award,” Jolly said. “Tourism is vital to Florida’s economy, from the Florida Keys and South Beach to the Space Coast and the Gulf beaches of the Panhandle. In the Tampa Bay area especially, tourism creates good-paying jobs at our local aquariums, hotels, restaurants and airports that are the bedrock our community.
“I have seen the dividends, and I am proud of the partnerships we have built between industry and state and local leaders that will ensure tourism remains an economic driver of our nation,” he said.
The U.S. Travel Association is a national, nonprofit organization that advocates for all parts of the travel sector, an industry that produces $2.1 trillion in economic output and supports 15 million jobs. The group will present the award to Jolly and other recipients at Destination Capitol Hill, a March 16 travel industry event in Washington, D.C.
