Travel Industry Lobbyists Descend on RNC

(MoneyWatch)  As the Washington Times reports today, the Travel Industry Association hosted a reception Wednesday evening in a St. Paul airport hangar. The theme? "Celebrating America's Skyline: A Toast to Travel, Hospitality, and Real Estate Across America."

Roger Dow, president of the association, said that it was important to have a presence at the Republican National Convention or risk not be taken seriously in Washington. "If you're not here, you're not seen as a meaningful group," he told the Times. (The organization isn't partisan, and did the same thing at the DNC in Denver last week.)

The association, made up of hotels, airlines and destinations, is pushing for smoother travel legislation and is using print ads in Florida and Nevada -- two states that rely heavily on tourism.

The ads say, "Unfortunately, the American travel process is breaking down ?€" and it's making travel a bigger hassle than it needs to be. Whether it's the antiquated air travel system, rising fuel prices or the red tape that is leading millions of international travelers to shy away from America, this issue ?€" and the viability of our community - needs real attention."

According to the TIA, 2 million fewer overseas travelers visited the United States in 2007 than in 2000 ?€" despite a weak dollar and a global boom in international travel. The decline since 9-11 cost America nearly $140 billion in visitor spending and 230,000 jobs.

The event itself had free "top shelf booze," a vintage airplane, mini-doughnuts and placards proclaiming "Vote Travel!"

The event wasn't bad for an industry which just four years ago didn't have any presence at political conventions. But is the industry becoming politicized because of the dawning realization that overzealous security might turn off visitors -- or is it really more about the deflating economy?