Jerry Tan appointed to national tourism board

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce appointed Marianas businessman Jerry Tan to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) Thursday.

“Travel and tourism returned with force in 2022 as we opened up our country once again to visitors from around the globe,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Since day one of the Biden Administration, the Commerce Department has taken decisive actions to support this industry’s recovery. The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board plays a vital role in providing expert recommendations and industry insight to optimize the American travel experience. I look forward to working with new and returning members.”

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Commerce: TTAB members advise the Secretary of Commerce on how government policies and programs affect the travel and tourism industry and offer counsel on current and emerging issues to support sustainable growth of the travel and tourism industry as our nation’s economic engine.

“TTAB was first chartered in 2003 and has been re-chartered nine times,” the news release states. “Past boards have provided advice on a wide range of policies and issues, including travel facilitation, visa policy, infrastructure, aviation security, tourism research, climate and economic sustainability.”

Mr. Tan is the president of CEO of Tan Holdings, a conglomerate of businesses operating in the Mariana Islands. The conglomerate owns and operates several hotels on Saipan and Guam, including the newly-renovated Crowne properties on both islands.

According to Tan Holdings’s website, the company headquartered in Saipan in 1983, and has grown to be “the largest private taxpayer and employer in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.”

The conglomerate is involved in several industries aside from hotel management,  including airlines, amusement, family entertainment, fishing, ground handling services, information technology, insurance, logistics, publishing, and real estate.

Mr. Tan and his family are active in the community, especially in the promotion of competitive sports for both youth and adults.

Mr. Tan was one of 32 leaders from businesses and organizations around the country selected to be on the TTAB.

The membership for the 2023-2024 term of TTAB listed below includes representatives of state and regional economic development teams, businesses, and organizations:

• Reggie Aggarwal, Founder and CEO, Cvent
• Balram Bheodari, Aviation General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Adam Burke, President and CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
• Brian Chesky, Cofounder and CEO, Airbnb
• Julie Coker, President and CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority
• Brad Dean, CEO, Discover Puerto Rico
• Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line
• Fred Felleman, Commissioner, Port of Seattle
• Liz Fitzsimmons, Managing Director, Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism and Film
• Matt Goldberg, President and CEO, Tripadvisor, Inc.
• Mufi Hannemann, President and CEO, Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association
• Russ Hedge, President and CEO, Hostelling International USA
• Bill Hornbuckle, President and CEO, MGM Resorts International
• Peter Ingram, President and CEO, Hawaiian Airlines
• Stephanie Jones, Founder and CEO, Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance
• Andrew Leary, Director of Sustainable Tourism and Partnerships, Leave No Trace
• Eric Lipp, Founder and Executive Director, Open Doors Organization
• Casandra Matej, President and CEO, Visit Orlando
• Peter Millones, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Booking Holdings, Inc.
• Will Morey, President and CEO, The Morey Organization
• Tricia Primrose, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Communications & Public Affairs Officer, Marriott International
• Lana Ramos, Vice President, Marketing and Community Relations, Locally Grown Restaurants
• Carroll Rheem, Founder and CEO, iolite group
• Dan Richards, Founder and CEO, The Global Rescue Companies
• Adam Sacks, President, Tourism Economics
• John Sage, President, Accessible Travel Solutions
• Stephen Scherr, CEO, Hertz Corporation
• Greg Schulze, Senior Vice President, Strategic Travel Partners, Expedia
• Monica Smith, President and CEO, Southeast Tourism Society
• Jerry Tan, President and CEO, Tan Holdings
• Donald “D” Taylor, President, UNITE HERE
• Peter van Berkel, President, Travalco USA, Inc.