Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) introduced the bipartisan United States-Mexico Tourism Improvement Act. This legislation will increase governmental cooperation between the United States and Mexico to reinvigorate tourism in both countries in response to disruptions caused by COVID-19.
“The United States is the primary destination for Mexican travelers,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Tourism between our two countries is a critical economic driver for our state’s economy, especially in South Texas. The United States-Mexico Tourism Improvement Act will build a more resilient tourism economy post COVID-19 by bolstering tourism between our two countries and strengthening our relationship with our southern neighbor. I thank my colleague, Congressman McCaul, for working with me across the aisle to revamp our nation’s tourism industry. I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to expand opportunity, prosperity, and security in both the United States and Mexico.”
“Tourism is a vital industry in both the U.S. and Mexico,” said Congressman McCaul. “It is essential that we work closely with our southern neighbor to promote this industry in a way that is mutually beneficial. I am proud to introduce this important legislation with my colleague Congressman Cuellar to reinvigorate the tourism industry in both the U.S. and Mexico.”
In 2021, 10.4 million Mexicans traveled to the United States and spent approximately $11.7 billion. Despite comprising 47 percent of total foreign travelers to the United States, Mexican tourism rates were 42 percent below 2019 numbers.
Specifically, the bill will:
- strengthen bilateral tourism between the United States and Mexico;
- improve third-party tourism to both countries through joint promotional efforts; and,
- prioritize and expand the hospitality, retail, and cultural education sectors in both countries
