And significantly, the Congressman who could have the most to say about such efforts—U.S. Rep. James J. Florio, D-N.J.—has become an active participant and supporter.
“We want to define such issues as what’s going to happen when airline tickets go through the roof. Like what’s going to happen to destination ski resorts,” explained Joseph T. Prendergast, president of the American Ski Federation here.
“What can we do about alternative modes of transportation?” Prendergast asked. “That’s what we want to find out.”
With Florio’s encouragement, the Library of Congress has organized a series of meetings bringing together recreation-oriented industry leaders, appropriate representatives of the Reagan Administration, and Members of Congress.
Recreation groups will discuss their transportation concerns, transportation industry officials will respond, and together they will work with the government to develop a workable program.
“There definitely are interrelated problems,” said Prendergast, “whether you’re an amusement park or a ski resort.”
On public lands—Alaska’s Sen. Ted Stevens believes that the Reagan Administration will begin to open up the nation’s public lands for many public uses by the American people.
“We need to return to a focus of multiple use of our public lands, shifting away from the focus of the past several years on preservation through wilderness designations,” said Stevens during a recent meeting of the Recreation Roundtable.
The Senator told representatives of major recreation-oriented associations that the Administration and the Republican majority in the Senate agree with that philosophy.
Based on meetings that he has had with Reagan, Stevens declared:
“Americans who love the outdoors will find friends among the Reagan Administration and the realigned Congress. We will be sensitive to recreational needs in rural as well as urban communities. Public lands should be the gasic reservoir for meeting the needs of recreationists in this country.”
Ski areas back caucus—Skiing had a sizeable contingent at the second annual fundraising dinner for the U.S. Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, organized to help protect the interests of the industry here.
They heard several members of Congress as well as three key Reagan Cabinet members talk about the importance of encouraging travel and tourism in the U.S.
Attending the affair from the ski area industry were: Ralph DesLauriers, Bolton Valley, VT; Jack Van Scoter of Cockaigne, N.Y.; Chuck and Penny Lewis and daughter, Vanda, of Copper Mt.; Roger and Jean Tilkemeir and son, Jon, of Vail; Phil Gravink, President of NSAA and GM of New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain; Tom and Daphne Corcoran, Waterville Valley, N.H.; Howard “Bo” Callaway, Crested Butte, CO; and Nick Badami, Alpine Meadows, CA. Ski Industry associations were represented by Cal Conniff (NSAA), Bob Roberts (Sierra Ski Areas Association), Bob Knous and Brenda Michaud (Colorado Ski Country), Joe and Becky Prendergast plus Steve Over (ASF), and from SIA the outgoing and incoming Executive VP’s, Doc Des Roches and David Ingemie, with wives Toby and Becky. Also attending was SAM columnist and marketing consultant Pam Conklin.
Said Prendergast after the speachmaking was over: “I saw it as a demonstration of interest from members of Congress in travel and tourism and as a very important step forward.”
Energy, transportation, and tourism policies were discussed by Caucus officials as well as by Energy Secretary James Edwards, Transportation Secretary Drew Lewis and Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldridge.
Edwards noted that the Reagan Administration has announced total decontrol of oil and gasoline, a move estimated to increase gas prices at the pump by up to 12 cents per gallon.
But the Secretary predicted that gasoline shortages in the U.S. would be eliminated and, referring to gas lines of the past, declared: “That era in America is over as far as this administration is concerned.”
Of major concern to the industry is approval of legislation aimed at developing tourism within the U.S. and from abroad with the help of the government.
While the bill was approved by Congress late last year, it was pocket-vetoed by former President Carter. The Senate has since approved the measure and Florio’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Transportation and Tourism intends to give it “fast track” treatment.
The bill would replace the U.S. Travel Service with a new Travel and Tourism Administration armed with sufficient funds and staff to do the job.
Commerce Secretary Baldridge refused to commit the Administration on the measure, but promised to give it “the most careful review.”
Transportation Secretary Lewis said his goal is to develop an effective transportation system in the U.S. so people can travel to and from the nation’s recreational and tourism attractions without difficulty.
“We want to do everything we can in a way that’s conducive to a satisfactory—more than satisfactory—transportation system in this country,” Lewis said.
