see also: in April 2007 News Releases:   CBP Officers at O’Hare Seize $6.7 Million Worth of Cocaine   CBP Officers Seize $8 Million Worth of Marijuana at Calexico Port   CBP Border Patrol Rescues Three   U.S., Mexican Officials Announce Grand Opening Of Brownsville SENTRI Lane   Funcionarios de Estados Unidos y México Anuncian Inauguración del Carril SENTRI en Brownsville   First Mobile Sensor Tower Arrives In Arizona   Frequent Traveler Charged with Marijuana Smuggling ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   CBP HomePage on dhs.gov site:   Department of Homeland Security web site on the web:   Department of Commerce web site

contacts for this news release

Anaheim, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection joined thousands of travel and tourism representatives from around the country, and the world, this week in Disneyland’s backyard to help promote the United States as a welcoming destination for business, tourism and student travel.

CBP, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security that annually welcomes more than 400 million travelers into the U.S. while assuring national safety, participated in the 29th Annual Travel Industry Association’s PowWow. This conference is one of the mostly widely attended marketplaces of travel and tourism representatives in the world.

“First and foremost, we want the world to know that America remains a warm, welcoming nation,” said CBP Executive Director Robert Jacksta during a panel discussion. “CBP has the dual mission of securing America from those who would do us harm while facilitating legitimate travel and trade. Participating in forums like today’s event is an example of working with our partners in the private sector, as well as informing visitors of what current requirements are, and what resources are available to them, to help ensure a smooth process at ports of entry.”

The panel discussion also included representatives from the Department of Commerce, State Department and US-VISIT program.

Jacksta highlighted the “Model Port” prototype implemented at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston earlier this month, designed to help streamline processes and create a more welcoming environment at international airports around the country. Specifically, a new video titled “Welcome to the U.S.” and narrated in Spanish, French, German and English guides travelers through the customs and immigration process, accompanied by informational brochures and directional signage.

While security will always be CBP’s primary mission, and is key to regaining travelers’ confidence, the model port project seeks to make the process of entering the U.S. more streamlined, user-friendly and understandable.

Another example of the government’s commitment to traveler facilitation is the new Traveler Redress Inquiry Program, DHS TRIP. This easy-to-use Web site enables travelers to address watch list misidentification issues and other problems with any of the department’s travel-related agencies. (See www.dhs.gov/trip.)

CBP also has implemented a systems upgrade whereby erroneous matches will no longer result in travelers being referred for additional inspection, once it has been confirmed that they are not the person of interest. Since February of 2005 this upgrade has resulted in avoiding more than 25,000 subsequent inspections, saving time for travelers and CBP officers.

After the terrorist attacks of 2001, world confidence was shaken and international travel dropped. But statistics indicate that international travel is returning to pre-2001 levels. “We are all working together to help the nation recover from the devastating setbacks that followed 9/11 and embracing our friends from around the world,” said Jacksta.

For more information about these efforts, please visit the CBP web site and the Department of Homeland Security web site. ( CBP HomePage ) ( Department of Homeland Security web site ) For more information on the Department of Commerce data, please visit the Department of Commerce web site. ( Department of Commerce web site ) .

Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.