U.S. Travel Association Pays Tribute to Late Congressman William Delahunt

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

In a heartfelt tribute to former Congressman William D. Delahunt (D-MA), who passed away on March 30, Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, lauded him as a pivotal figure in the resurgence of the United States as a premier global travel destination. Delahunt’s tenure in Congress was notably marked by his leadership in the wake of the challenges posed by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, where he spearheaded efforts to revitalize the international perception of the U.S. as a welcoming country. His strategic vision culminated in the bipartisan creation of Brand USA, an organization dedicated to marketing the U.S. to travelers worldwide, thereby catalyzing a significant increase in international visits and benefitting the nation’s economy and regional diversities.

Freeman’s statement underscores the profound impact of Delahunt’s contributions to the U.S. travel industry and American diplomacy. Through initiatives like Brand USA, which emerged from Delahunt’s foresight and dedication, the United States has seen millions of new international visitors, reinforcing its position as a top travel destination and stimulating economic growth across every region. The travel community, along with Freeman, expresses deep gratitude for Delahunt’s visionary leadership, which not only enhanced America’s appeal to global travelers but also served as a testament to the powerful role of travel in fostering international goodwill and understanding.

“The U.S. travel community mourns the passing of one of its great champions in Congress, Bill Delahunt. When the United States struggled to rebuild international inbound travel in the decade following the 9/11 terrorist attack, Congressman Delahunt led the effort to restore America as the world’s top travel destination. His vision led to bipartisan legislation creating Brand USA, America’s travel marketing organization, and millions of new visitors to the United States benefitting every region of this country. The travel industry is deeply grateful for his leadership and thoughtful vision for improving America’s economy and diplomacy.”

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