Missouri Travel Council and Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus
This letter was sent to all members of the Missouri Travel Council and Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus in response to to NAACP’s Missouri Travel Advisory
Dear Missouri Travel Council and Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus Members:
We wanted to provide you with an overview and our response regarding the NAACP Travel Advisory for Missouri.
This situation arose from the passage and the signing into law of SB 43 which will go into effect on August 28th. Pure and simple, this law deals with legal recourse available to those that feel that they have been unfairly discriminated against in the workplace. SB 43 brings Missouri’s standards regarding discrimination in the workplace in line with the standards of 38 other states and the United States federal government regarding the burden of proof required in EEOC and ADA claims.
It is extremely unfortunate that the first travel advisory ever issued by the NAACP, at the state or national level, unduly targets only travel in Missouri while ignoring the fact that laws in 38 other states, as well as at the federal level, include similar language to that in SB 43.
Among a number of disparaging comments regarding Missouri, the travel advisory warns that “individuals traveling in the state are advised to travel with extreme CAUTION.” Such language, without question, instills unwarranted fear and will negatively impact Missouri’s entire travel and tourism industry.
There are many things that we can't control. However, the one thing that we can control is our messaging as an industry. In regard to the recent NAACP Travel Advisory, we encourage you to share the following information with your industry partners and in response to any media inquiries that you may receive.
"First and foremost, our organization, as well as the state’s travel organizations – MACVB and MTC – fully support non-discrimination, equal rights and fair and just due process for each and every person, regardless of the color of their skin.
Missouri is a great state with a rich diversity in all that visitors can see, do and experience. Whether enjoying a professional ball game, visiting a world class attraction, exploring one of our great caves, enjoying some of the best dining to be experienced anywhere, whatever the activity might be, Missouri's travel industry is proud to continue to roll out the welcome mat to all visitors to our state. We appreciate the opportunity to provide individuals and families with a warm and welcoming environment in which they can make lasting and positive memories.”
With kind regards,
The Executive Committees of Missouri Travel Council and Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus