§ 2122. — Powers and duties of Secretary of Commerce.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC2122]
TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
CHAPTER 31--INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
SUBCHAPTER II--DUTIES
Sec. 2122. Powers and duties of Secretary of Commerce
In order to carry out the national tourism policy established in
section 2121(b) of this title and by the United States National Tourism
Organization Act of 1996, the Secretary of Commerce (hereafter in this
chapter referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall develop and implement a
comprehensive plan to perform critical tourism functions which, in the
determination of the Secretary, are not being carried out by the United
States National Tourism Organization or other private sector entities or
State governments. Such plan may include programs to--
(1) collect and publish comprehensive international travel and
tourism statistics and other marketing information;
(2) design, implement, and publish international travel and
tourism forecasting models;
(3) facilitate the reduction or elimination of barriers to
international travel and tourism; and
(4) work with the United States National Tourism Organization,
the Tourism Policy Council, State tourism agencies, and Federal
agencies in--
(A) coordinating the Federal implementation of a national
travel and tourism policy;
(B) representing the United States' international travel and
tourism interests to foreign governments; and
(C) maintaining United States participation in international
travel and tourism trade shows and fairs until such activities
can be transferred to such Organization and other private sector
entities.
(Pub. L. 87-63, title II, Sec. 201, formerly Sec. 2, June 29, 1961, 75
Stat. 129; Pub. L. 93-623, Sec. 6, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2105;
renumbered and amended Pub. L. 97-63, Sec. 3(b), (e)(1), Oct. 16, 1981,
95 Stat. 1012, 1013; Pub. L. 102-372, Sec. 6(a), Sept. 30, 1992, 106
Stat. 1175; Pub. L. 104-288, Sec. 10, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3407.)
References in Text
The United States National Tourism Organization Act of 1996,
referred to in text, is Pub. L. 104-288, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3407,
as amended. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title of 1996 Amendment note set out under section 2121 of this
title and Tables.
Amendments
1996--Pub. L. 104-288 amended section generally to narrow tourism-
related duties of Secretary of Commerce, in view of creation of United
States National Tourism Organization, with Secretary to focus on
critical promotion functions which, in determination of Secretary, are
not being carried out by new Organization or other private sector or
State entities.
1992--Par. (2). Pub. L. 102-372, Sec. 6(3), added par. (2). Former
par. (2) redesignated (3).
Par. (3). Pub. L. 102-372, Sec. 6(a)(1), (2), redesignated former
par. (2) as (3) and substituted ``receptive, linguistic, informational,
currency exchange, meal, and package tour services required by the
international market'' for ``tourist facilities, low cost unit tours,
and other arrangements within the United States for meeting the
requirements of foreign visitors''. Former par. (3) redesignated (4).
Pars. (4) to (6). Pub. L. 102-372, Sec. 6(a)(1), redesignated former
pars. (3) to (5) as (4) to (6), respectively. Former par. (6)
redesignated (7).
Par. (7). Pub. L. 102-372, Sec. 6(1), (4), redesignated former par.
(6) as (7) and substituted ``and the use of other United States
providers of travel products and services; and'' for period at end.
Par. (8). Pub. L. 102-372, Sec. 6(5), added par. (8).
1981--Pub. L. 97-63, Sec. 3(b), substituted ``In order to carry out
the national tourism policy established by section 2121(b) of this
title'' for ``In order to carry out the purpose of this chapter''.
1975--Par. (6). Pub. L. 93-623 added par. (6).
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-63 effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 6 of
Pub. L. 97-63, set out as a note under section 2121 of this title.
Survey of International Air Travelers
Section 3 of Pub. L. 102-372 provided that: ``The Secretary of
Commerce, to the extent available resources permit, shall improve the
survey of international air travelers conducted to provide the data
needed to estimate the Nation's balance of payments in international
travel by--
``(1) expanding the survey to cover travel to and from the
Middle East, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean and enhancing
coverage for Mexico, Oceania, the Far East, and Europe; and
``(2) improving the methodology for conducting on-board surveys
by (A) enhancing communications, training, and liaison activities in
cooperation with participating air carriers, (B) providing for the
continuation of needed data bases, and (C) utilizing improved
sampling procedures.
The Secretary of Commerce shall seek to increase the reporting frequency
of the data provided by Statistics Canada and the Bank of Mexico on
international travel trade between the United States and both Canada and
Mexico. The Secretary shall improve the quarterly statistical report on
United States international travel receipts and payments published in
the Bureau of Economic Analysis document known as `The Survey of Current
Services' and heighten its visibility.''
Report on Tourism and Travel Activities
Section 18 of Pub. L. 102-372 directed Secretary of Commerce, within
18 months after Sept. 30, 1992, to report to Congress on (1) status of
actions required by section 3 of Pub. L. 102-372 and desirability and
feasibility of publishing international travel receipts and payments on
a monthly basis, (2) Secretary's actions under 22 U.S.C. 2122(8)
regarding the inbound and outbound tourism trade between United States
and emerging democracies of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union,
(3) activities of Department of Commerce and other Federal agencies to
increase tourism opportunities for, and encourage travel by, disabled
persons, and (4) efforts undertaken under 22 U.S.C. 2123c to improve
visitor facilitation and effect on United States travel and tourism as a
result of those improvements.
