Last fall, Steve Richer,
right, retired as executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Convention & Visitors Bureau to join the National Tour
Association. M&C recently spoke with Richer about his
new job.
M&C: What is your role
within the NTA?
Richer: I have a
brand-new position called public affairs advocate, which started
last November. The position has five elements: government
relations, industry relations, media relations, international
membership development and financial analysis/Wall Street
relations.
M&C: Why does the NTA
want a director of travel and tourism in the White
House?
Richer: We’re looking
for a position within the White House that is focused on the travel
and tourism portion of the national economy. We have a lot of
tourism economy issues that need presidential attention, such as
air traffic control, delays in passports and visas, and the federal
transportation system. There are just so many different issues that
a strong voice in commerce isn’t enough. We believe somebody who
speaks to and for the president will get departments within the
administration moving to help all portions of our tourism
economy.
M&C: What would the NTA
like to do to improve air travel in the United
States?
Richer: Over the
centuries, there’s been a progression that as the economy grows,
transportation grows. You can go back to the stagecoach, railroads
and highways and see how things went; in today’s world, it’s air
travel. We’d like to see more accessibility by air, globally as
well as nationally. We’ll work with the next Congress on how to
facilitate that.
M&C:How will the NTA’s success help
planners?
Richer: The stronger
we can make the travel industry, the better it’s going to be for
meeting planners. We are planners, too, and we want to see a strong
travel industry that is appreciated and supported as we work with
Wall Street and the media to show the role this element plays in
the national economy. If we succeed, it can’t help but make for
better services. Also, if we get more international people coming
to the U.S., it just creates more demand -- and the more demand
there is, the better facilities there will be that serve both
leisure and the meeting side. We’re all in this together.
M&C: How do you like
your new job so far?
Richer: It’s really
challenging, but also fun. I like being able to work on national
and international issues and projects.
M&C: How would you sum
up your Mississippi Gulf Coast experience?
Richer: I have to
thank all the people who helped out, from churches, civic clubs and
more, as a result of which you see how the Mississippi Gulf Coast
is coming along. We’re all human beings first, and I’ve learned a
phenomenal lesson in the goodness of people.