The U.S. Commerce Department made a few curious picks for the maiden board of the Corporation for Travel Promotion.
Of the 11 board of directors members selected, none is a pure-play online travel company, there are no major, household name hotel chains and cruise lines are missing in action.
You could argue that the selection of Sabre Holdings, represented by its president, Tom Klein, takes care of the online world because Sabre owns Travelocity and lives off the Sabre Travel Network GDS business.
But, there are no Expedias or Kayaks on the board.
The lodging industry is represented by Stephen Cloobeck, chairman and CEO of Diamond Resorts International, a timeshare company.
There are no big chains on this chain-less gang.
Destination marketing organizations, however, are well-represented.
Other companies represented on the board include California Travel & Tourism Commission, NYC & Company, Jackmont Hospitality [food service], Amtrak, United Airlines, State of Wyoming tourism, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Roy's Restaurant, and Steptoe & Johnson.
The travel industry fought long and hard for the passage of the Travel Promotion Act, which gave birth to the Corporation for Travel Promotion.
The board is geared to raise $200 million annually to promote in-bound tourism, and it would be wise if adept online marketing would be a healthy component of the advertising mix.
However, the Commerce Dept.'s selections to the first board of directors of the Corporation for Travel Promotion tend to make it appear that online travel and promotions may become somewhat of an after-thought.