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US trade body makes disaster relief plea to counter $100m hurricane damage

US Congressional leaders have been urged to agree “substantial” disaster relief to regions devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The call for action by the US Travel Association for when Congress reconvenes came just ahead of the presidential election tomorrow (Tuesday).  

The trade body’s president and chief executive Geoff Freeman said in a letter delivered on Friday: “We urge you to swiftly pass a disaster supplemental appropriations bill by Thanksgiving [November 28] to support communities devastated by hurricanes Helene and Milton. 

“Damage caused by these storms is estimated to total more than $100 billion, with downstream impacts on travel, visitor spending, hotel bookings, tax revenues and employment.”

He added: “In states hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the travel industry accounts for more than two million jobs, $282 billion in travel spending and more than $20 billion in state and local tax receipts. 

“Past hurricanes demonstrate that it takes an average of six-12 months before travel spending returns to baseline levels. North Carolina’s Mountain region, home to 47,000 travel industry workers, stands to lose $2.1 billion in visitor spending this fall alone.”

The letter concludes: “Given the urgency of the need, Congress should endeavour to pass disaster relief legislation before Thanksgiving to help these communities recover and avoid further economic damage.”Trade body urges

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