[Federal Register: November 14, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 220)]
[Notices]               
[Page 57033-57034]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14no01-32]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

 
Survey of International Air Travelers

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c) (2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 14, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482-3129, Department of 
Commerce, Room 6086, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20230 (or via the Internet at Mclayton@doc.gov.).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Ron Erdmann, ITA's Tourism Industries, Room 7025, 1401 
Constitution Ave, NW., Washington, DC 20230; phone: (202) 482-4554, and 
fax: (202) 482-2887. E-Mail: ron--erdmann@ita.doc.gov To learn more 
about the this research program, visit TI's Web site at: http://
www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/research/programs/ifs/index.html

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The International Trade Administration, Tourism Industries office 
``Survey of International Air Travelers'' is the only source for 
estimating international travel and passenger fare exports and imports 
for this country. This program also supports the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis mandate to collect and report 
this type of information which is used to calculate GDP for the United 
States. This project also serves as the core data source for Tourism 
Industries. Numerous reports and analyses are developed to assist 
businesses in increasing U.S. exports in international travel. An 
economic impact of international travel on state economies, visitation 
estimates, traveler profiles, presentations and reports are generated 
by Tourism Industries to help the federal government agencies and the 
travel industry better understand the international market. It is also 
a service that the U.S. Department of Commerce provides to travel 
industry businesses seeking to increase international travel and 
passenger fare exports for the country, as well as U.S. outbound 
travel. It provides the only comparable estimates of nonresident 
visitation to the states and cities within the U.S., as well as U.S. 
resident travel abroad. Traveler characteristics data are also 
collected to help travel related businesses better understand the 
international travelers to and from the U.S. so they can develop 
targeted marketing and other planning related materials.

II. Method of Collection

    The collection is on U.S. and foreign flag airlines who voluntarily 
agree to allow us to survey their passengers on departing flights from 
the U.S. Additional surveys are also collected at U.S. departure 
airports and selected U.S. sites as cooperation is obtained from the 
travel industry.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0227.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: International travelers departing the United 
States 18 years or older which includes U.S. and

[[Page 57034]]

non-U.S. residents for all countries except Canada.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 165,600.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 24,840 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: This is a $1.5 million research 
program. The government only funds $690,00 of this program. The 
remaining funds are obtained from inkind contributions of the airlines, 
airports and other travel industry partners as well as the sale of this 
data to the public. Respondents will not need to purchase equipment or 
materials to respond to this collection.

IV. Requested for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: November 8, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-28530 Filed 11-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P