The U.S. Travel Association revealed a grassroots advocacy program to stress the power of the $1.9 trillion travel industry and its workforce of 14.4 million to both freshmen and incumbent members of Congress.

Travel Blitz will identify and develop congressional advocates nationwide to leverage the strength of U.S. Travel’s 1,200 member organizations.

In 2013, Travel Blitz components will include roundtables, meetings and industry tours for Members of Congress, as well as rallies in support of travel initiatives.

Travel Blitz follows the 2012 Vote Travel campaign, a national effort that brought travel’s impact to the forefront of dozens of communities with a bus tour and public events with elected officials.

“Every congressional district in America can thank travel for jobs and economic activity, so we’ve designed a program to build our bench of champions in Congress, those members who will stand with us and play offense on policies to protect and stimulate increased travel,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow.