WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) announced that the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved his legislation to reauthorize Brand USA, a public-private partnership that enhances tourism across the country by promoting international travel to the United States.

“Brand USA has been a proven success in increasing tourism and economic growth in communities across the nation,” said Blunt. “I’m encouraged by the widespread, bipartisan support this bill received in committee today, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it when it comes before the full Senate.”

Brand USA is funded by international visitors and private contributions – not U.S. taxpayers. Since 2013, Brand USA has brought 6.6 million incremental 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. In 2018, Brand USA generated $4.1 billion in incremental visitor spending, resulting in a marketing return on investment of 32:1.

The bill was introduced earlier this month and is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Cory Gardner (Colo.), and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.).