The American Society of Travel Agents has offered its commendation after the House of Representatives took an important step toward ensuring the continuation of Brand USA.

The House passed the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, & Modernisation Act of 2014 by a vote of 347 to 57 and scheduled for a Senate committee hearing.

Brand USA is the non-profit, public-private partnership dedicated to increasing inbound travel to the United States.

“ASTA applauds the work of Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Peter Welch for this bipartisan effort to promote tourism and create jobs here at home,” said ASTA president Zane Kerby.

“ASTA’s more than 800 international members work tirelessly every day to help the US realise the benefits of increased visitor market share by selling the US overseas.

“We need partners such as Brand USA to help more of the world discover the beauty and culture of America,” Kerby said.

In 2013, the nearly 70 million international visitors who travelled to the US spent $181 billion, which directly supported 1.2 million jobs.

Without legislation, Brand USA’s five-year authorisation would expire in fiscal year 2015.

“On behalf of our members who sell travel and provide critical services to the travelling public, we call on the Senate to take up this bill without delay,” added Kerby.