<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:st1 =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1561" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"> </DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN> <SPAN class=084411917-20112006>
</SPAN></SPAN><STRONG><IMG height=79
src="cid:01d601c70cdd$ae8efa60$0200a8c0@techlab" width=464
v:shapes="_x0000_i1025"></STRONG><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 4"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><STRONG></STRONG> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><STRONG>Study: Perceived Treatment of Foreign Travelers Driving
Away Visitors, Damaging <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s Image
Abroad<o:p></o:p></STRONG></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-outline-level: 1"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Minor Changes Could Boost
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> Economy, Global
Support</SPAN></I></B><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:City w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">WASHINGTON</SPAN></st1:City><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, <st1:State
w:st="on">DC</st1:State> – The U.S. entry process has created a climate of
fear and frustration that is turning away foreign business and leisure
travelers from visiting the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United
States</st1:country-region> – and damaging <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s
image abroad.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But, according to a
new global study conducted by the Discover America Partnership, minor
improvements in welcoming travelers could yield substantial diplomatic and
economic gains. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The study, conducted by
independent polling firm RT Strategies and based upon a survey of more than
2,000 travelers worldwide, sought to gauge traveler perceptions of the
<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> visa and entry
process, and how opinions of <st1:country-region
w:st="on">America</st1:country-region> differ among those that have and have
not visited the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The study revealed that, by deterring
visitors, the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> is missing an enormous
economic and diplomatic opportunity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Those that have visited the <st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> and interacted with the American people
are 74 percent more likely to have an extremely favorable opinion of the
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">“This study should be a wake-up
call for the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> government,” said Geoff
Freeman, Executive Director of the Discover America Partnership.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Visiting the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and interacting with the American people can have a powerful, positive effect
on how non-U.S. residents see our country. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Unfortunately, perceptions of a ‘rude’
and ‘arrogant’ entry process are turning away travelers and harming
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s image.”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Among the study’s key findings:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list .75in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> entry
process is considered the “world’s worst” by
travelers<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 81pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 81.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Travelers rate <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s
entry process as the “world’s worst” by greater than a 2:1 margin over the
next-worst destination area.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 81pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 81.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The
<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> ranks with Africa and
the <st1:place w:st="on">Middle East</st1:place> when it comes to
traveler-friendly paperwork and officials.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 81pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 81.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">54
percent of international travelers say that immigration officials are
rude.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 81pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 81.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Travelers to the
<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> are more afraid of
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> government officials than the
threat of terrorism or crime.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 81pt; TEXT-INDENT: -27pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 81.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Two-thirds of travelers surveyed
fear they will be detained at the border because of a simple mistake or
misstatement.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">By deterring visitors, the
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> is missing an enormous
diplomatic and economic opportunity<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=square>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=circle>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Those with experience visiting
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> are 74 percent more
likely to have an extremely favorable opinion of the country versus those
who have not visited recently.<I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p></o:p></I></SPAN>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">63 percent of travelers feel
more favorable towards the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> as a result of their
visit.<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> <o:p></o:p></I></SPAN>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">61 percent agree that, once a
person visits the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>, they become friendlier
towards the country and its policies. <o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Negative attitudes about
<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> treatment of
visitors are having a much larger effect on keeping travelers away from
the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> than negative
attitudes about <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> policies in the
world.<o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Nearly nine in 10 travelers
tell their friends, relatives about their travel experiences most or all
of the time. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></UL></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .75in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Minor changes in the
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> treatment of foreign business
and leisure travelers would yield substantial gains<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=square>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=circle>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In every destination criteria
but the point of entry experience, international travelers rank
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> in the top three.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Travelers <U>want</U> to come to
the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Travelers are willing to wait
an average of 46.5 days to get a visa to visit the U.S – 15 days beyond
U.S. State Department standards, but far less than current wait times in
many countries.<o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Travelers expectations include
clear communications, respect and courteous treatment.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></UL></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">“Foreign travelers are in
agreement:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the
<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> entry process is
unpredictable and unfriendly to foreign visitors, it is hurting
<st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>’s image abroad and
deterring many from visiting the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>,” said Thomas Riehle, partner,
RT Strategies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“These survey
results help to explain the 17 percent decline in overseas travel to the
<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> over the past five
years and the 10 percent decline in business travel to the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> over the
past year.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Discover America Partnership
was launched in September, 2006 by some of <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s
foremost business leaders.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These
business leaders recognize travel to the <st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> as an integral aspect of the public
diplomacy process and have challenged the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> to
welcome an additional 10 million more visitors annually.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This initiative is undertaking an
aggressive, ongoing campaign to draw national attention to the issue, and to
push for solutions.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><BR
style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always" clear=all></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Partnership is pursuing a
variety of initiatives to help the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> better compete for
international travelers, including:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=square>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A detailed assessment of the U.S
entry process, and how the nation balances security and economic
prosperity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The study
will look at the impact of current point-of-entry policies on the
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> economy, and what we can
learn from other countries.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=square>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">An ongoing effort to tap into
the travel industry’s expertise in hospitality to develop new, creative and
better ways to welcome visitors to our country.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=square>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A worldwide study of how other
countries compete for international travelers and how the
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> can demonstrate its
commitment to welcoming more visitors.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Discover America
Partnership/RT Strategies study of international travelers was conducted
between October 25<SUP>th</SUP> and November 9<SUP>th</SUP>, 2006.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>2,011 non-U.S. resident international
travelers were surveyed, representing 15+ countries worldwide.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Half of those travelers had visited
the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> since September
11, 2006; the other half had not visited the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> since
September 11, 2006.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=084411917-20112006>Media </SPAN>Contact: <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Heather Epkins</st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Phone: 202-408-2172</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"></SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Email: <A
href="mailto:heather@poweroftravel.org"><A
href="mailto:heather@poweroftravel.org">heather@poweroftravel.org</A></SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"></SPAN></A></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Website: <A
href="http://www.poweroftravel.org/">www.poweroftravel.org</A></SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
align=center><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN><STRONG># <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN># <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>#<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>