International Franchise Association Joins the Visit U.S. Coalition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Jenna Weisbord, 310-995-0839
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International Franchise Association Joins the Visit U.S. Coalition
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12—International Franchise Association, the world’s largest organization representing franchise owners, has joined the Visit U.S. Coalition, a group of organizations and industries that have come together to promote international travel to the U.S. to grow the economy and create jobs.
“Travelers to the U.S. are significant customers at the nearly 766,000 franchise businesses across America including restaurants, hotels, retail products and services, business services and personal services” said IFA President & CEO Robert Cresanti. “Boosting travel to the U.S. will help increase economic output in the $674 billion-dollar franchise industry and we are excited to be involved in the Visit US Coalition which will help the franchise industry continue its proven track record of creating jobs.”
In 2015, the U.S. share of the global travel market fell for the first time in a decade, and has continued its decline. Simply put, more people are travelling globally, but less are choosing to visit the U.S – meaning that other countries are surpassing the U.S. and leading when it comes to international travel. If the U.S. has maintained market share in international inbound travel, it would have welcomed 7.4 million international visitors, seen $32.2 billion in spending, and had the opportunity to create 100,000 American jobs.
IFA joined the Visit U.S. Coalition to take more aggressive steps to increase the U.S. share of the international tourism market. "As international travel increases, support for American businesses increases, and this continue to allow the franchise industry to continue to be an important contributor to the U.S. economy,” stated Cresanti.
In joining the Visit U.S. Coalition, IFA is adding its name to an impressive group of organizations working together to grow the economy through travel. Coalition members include: American Gaming Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, American Resort Development Association, American Society of Association Executives, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, International Association of Exhibitions and Events, National Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation, Real Estate Roundtable, Society of Independent Show Organizers, Travel Technology Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Travel Association.
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About the International Franchise Association
Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.