National Tourism Policy Act

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 97-252)

National Tourism Policy Act - Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to establish a national policy to promote the U.S. tourism and recreation industries.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) establish facilitation services at major U.S. ports-of-entry; (2) consult with foreign governments on travel and tourism and represent U.S. travel and tourism interests; (3) develop and administer a program for travel industry information, data service, training and education, and technical assistance; (4) develop a program to provide Federal agencies with information regarding the needs and interests of the tourism industry; (5) encourage travel to and from the United States on U.S. carriers; (6) assure coordination within the Department of Commerce to implement a national tourism policy; and (7) submit annually to Congress a marketing plan to promote travel to the United States.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to regions of not less than two States or portions of two States for the implementation of regional tourism promotional and marketing programs which shall serve as demonstration projects.

Establishes in the Department of Commerce a United States Travel and Tourism Administration (in lieu of the present U.S. Travel Service) headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism.

Directs the Secretary to designate an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Tourism Marketing who shall be responsible for the marketing plan required by this Act.

Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) reducing the number of foreign offices of the Administration or the number of Administration employees assigned to foreign countries below the number of U.S. Travel Service employees assigned to foreign countries in fiscal year 1979; and (2) reducing the amounts obligated for the Administration foreign offices below the amounts obligated in fiscal year 1980 for foreign offices of the U.S. Travel Service.

Establishes a Tourism Policy Council to coordinate policies and programs relating to tourism, recreation, or national heritage resources involving Federal departments or agencies. Requires Federal departments and agencies to make available any personnel, information, and services which the Council may request. Directs the Council to establish policy committees to monitor specific areas of Federal activity related to tourism. Requires the Council to report annually to the President for transmittal to Congress.

Establishes the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board to advise the Secretary on the implementation of such Act and the Assistant Secretary for Tourism Marketing in the preparation of the marketing plan. Requires the Board to report annually on its activities.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982.