The Travel Industry Association (TIA) and the Travel Business Roundtable are merging, effective Jan. 1. The newly formed U.S. Travel Association will offer a powerful voice for the nation’s $740 billion travel industry. Roger Dow, TIA president and CEO, will serve in the same capacity for the U.S. Travel Association.

The new association will represent major travel-related companies, state travel and tourism offices, many U.S. convention and visitors bureaus and most of the major travel associations. The organization will work to increase travel to and within the United States.

“We are proud to combine the forces of TIA and TBR to build one of Washington's most effective advocacy organizations,” said Jonathan M. Tisch, chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable and chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels. “At this time of economic downturn, it is more important than ever for our industry to speak with one voice about how travel is a critical tool for creating jobs and stimulating economic activity in all 50 states and 435 congressional districts.”

The U.S. Travel Association has more than 1,800 members.