06/21/21

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) awarded U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) the Global Travel Advocate Award 2021 for her efforts to support Alaska’s economy-critical travel and tourism industries and keep travel agencies and businesses going opened by a series of provisions in several COVID-19 aid packages. The President signed the law on May 24, 2021 the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, led by Senator Murkowski and the rest of the Alaska Congressional Delegation to create opportunities for Alaska’s troubled tourism industry.

“Senator Murkowski’s efforts to support the travel agency industry and the travel industry at large since the COVID-19 outbreak have been a ray of hope for our members at the most difficult time of their careers. From helping travel agents to join the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, to superhuman efforts to save part of the 2021 Alaska cruise season, to tax incentives to expedite the return of business and leisure travel, travel agents have done their job in Alaska and get through this crisis. On behalf of the 375 Alaskans who work in travel agencies across the state and travel advisors everywhere, we are honored to present Senator Murkowski with the ASTA Global Travel Advocate Award 2021, ”said Zane Kerby, President and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) .

“Alaska’s economy is a three-legged stool, one of which is our tourism industry. To say that travel and tourism are important to Alaska’s economy is an understatement. During the coronavirus pandemic, travel and tourism came to a standstill in much of the United States, but for a state where so many of our communities rely on tourism for their economy, Alaska was one of the hardest hit states, ”Senator Murkowski said . “From the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act to the COVID relief packages, I’ve prioritized bringing tourism back and keeping Alaskan residents afloat through the hardship caused by the pandemic. I appreciate this recognition and am grateful to all of the Alaskans who have worked with me in this endeavor. “

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