Marriott President Asks Congress To Adopt Travel Incentives

Marriott International President and CEO J. W. Marriott Jr. urged members of the Senate Commerce Committee's subcommittee on tourism immediately to adopt three financial incentives to counteract the "devastating" effect of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the travel industry.

Testifying Oct. 12 at a special hearing, Marriott emphasized that the industry is "not asking for a bailout." He requested that Congress, as part of the upcoming economic stimulus package, (1) enact a temporary business travel tax credit, (2) increase the business meals and entertainment deduction from 50 percent to 100 percent for one year, as well as permit a deduction for spousal travel, and (3) approve a six-month "holiday" on payroll taxes for employees and employers in the hospitality industry.

"We must do something immediately to get people traveling again or the consequences for our economy could be disastrous," Marriott said.

During the hearing, several senators announced they are drafting legislation to provide financial incentives to boost travel. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said his bill would provide a $500 tax credit to individuals or $1,000 to married couples who make a financial commitment to a trip by the end of this year. He said he would attempt to fold this legislation into the omnibus economic stimulus bill.