US Travel Association appoints new comms chief as Brand USA tourism body launches

Blain Rethmeier worked at the White House as special assistant to the President for communications. He also directed public affairs for President Bush’s National Economic Council and Homeland Security Council.

The move comes as the United States of America launches a new tourism body called Brand USA with a global consumer drive to boost tourism and the country's economy.

Brand USA, formerly the Corporation for Travel Promotion, is an overarching tourism body for all 50 of the United States.

Its website www.discoveramerica.com promotes tourism opportunities across the country in four categories: great outdoors; urban excitement; culture; and indulgence.

Rethmeier will be instrumental in the new tourism push and will lead lobbying, communications, grass roots and research activities for U.S. Travel.

Earlier this year U.S. Travel launched a coalition to advocate for U.S. visa reform which has led to legislation being debated in the house and Senate.