Restoring America's Travel Brand: A National Strategy to Compete for International Visitors; Request for Information, 77725-77726 [E6-22098]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 248 / Wednesday, December 27, 2006 / Notices Any changes in methodology will be applied in all investigations initiated on the basis of petitions received on or after the first day of the month following the date of publication of the Department’s final notice of the new weighted average dumping margin calculation methodology. 71 FR at 11189. Section 123(g)(2) of the URAA provides that a final modification may not go into effect before the end of the 60-day period after the consultations described in section 123(g)(1)(E) begin, unless the President determines that an earlier effective date is in the national interest. While the statute establishes the manner of determining the effective date of any final modification adopted pursuant to section 123, the statute does not specify whether the final modification must apply only to new segments of proceedings initiated after the effective date, or may apply to any segments pending as of the effective date. The SAA does not provide any more specific guidance regarding the application of any final modification adopted pursuant to section 123. The SAA states that section 129 determinations will apply only with respect to entries occurring on or after the effective date. SAA at 1026. However, the SAA makes no such statement with respect to section 123 modifications. The SAA merely states, ‘‘A final rule may not go into effect before the end of the 60-day consultation period unless the President determines that an earlier date is in the national interest.’’ SAA at 1021. In the prior four section 123 proceedings, the Department has applied the final modification or final rule to segments initiated after the effective date. See, e.g., Procedures for Conducting Five-year (‘‘Sunset’’) Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 70 FR 62061 (October 28, 2005) (applying amended regulations to sunset reviews initiated on or after the effective date); Notice of Final Modification of Agency Practice Under Section 123 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, 68 FR 37125, 37138 (June 23, 2003) (applying new privatization methodology to investigations and reviews initiated on or after the effective date); Antidumping Proceedings: Affiliated Party Sales in the Ordinary Course of Trade, 67 FR 69186, 69197 (November 15, 2002) (‘‘Arm’s Length Test’’) (applying new methodology to investigations and reviews initiated on or after the effective date); Amended Regulation Concerning the Revocation of Antidumping and VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:43 Dec 26, 2006 Jkt 211001 Countervailing Duty Orders, 64 FR 51236 (September 22, 1999). However, on occasion the Department has adopted and applied a change in policy involving a statutory interpretation to all segments pending as of the date of the change. See, e.g., Basis for Normal Value When Foreign Market Sales Are Below Cost, Policy Bulletin 98.1 (February 23, 1998); Treatment of Inventory Carrying Cost in Constructed Value, Policy Bulletin 94.1 (March 25, 1994). In the section 123 proceeding concerning the Arm’s Length Test, the Department found it significant that section 123 uses the term ‘‘go into effect.’’ 67 FR at 69196. Thus, the Department noted that section 123 does not preclude applying the change so as to affect entries made prior to the announcement of the change. Id. After careful consideration of the arguments presented by the commentors and of the information needed to implement this change, and weighing the administrative burdens, the Department has determined to apply the final modification adopted through this proceeding to all investigations pending before the Department as of the effective date. First, in this particular instance, applying this final modification to all investigations pending before the Department will not create any undue administrative burden on the Department. The number of pending antidumping investigations is few (i.e. there are seven ongoing antidumping investigations). Second, applying this change will not require the Department to gather any new information in those investigations. Third, this announcement of the Department’s intention to apply this modification to all pending investigations will not prejudice any of the parties to those proceedings. All of the currently pending investigations were initiated as a result of petitions filed after the date of publication of the Department’s proposed modification. Thus, all of the interested parties in each of these investigations had notice of the Department’s intention to modify the manner in which it calculates the weighted–average dumping margin when using the average–to-average comparison methodology in investigations. Moreover, even in the most advanced of the on–going investigations, there is sufficient time to permit the parties to comment on the application of this approach prior to the final determination in the investigation. In those investigations in which the Department will have reached a preliminary determination prior to the PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 77725 effective date of this notice, the Department will provide parties with notice and an opportunity to comment on the application of this methodology on the record of the investigation. Timetable The effective date of this notice is January 16, 2007, which is sixty days after the date on which the United States Trade Representative and the Department began consultations with the appropriate congressional committees, consistent with section 123(g)(1)(E) of the URAA. This methodology will be used in implementing the findings of the WTO panel in US - Zeroing (EC) pursuant to section 129 of the URAA concerning the specific antidumping investigations challenged by the EC in that dispute. The Department will apply this final modification in all current and future antidumping investigations as of the effective date. Dated: December 20, 2006. David Spooner, Assistant Secretaryfor Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6–22178 Filed 12–26–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Restoring America’s Travel Brand: A National Strategy to Compete for International Visitors; Request for Information General Information Document Type: Special Notice. Solicitation Number: ReferenceNumber. Posted Date: December 27, 2006. Original Response Date: January 24, 2007. Requesting Office Address Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI), 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 1003, Washington, DC 20230. Description/Background In support of competitive goals established by the President of the United States, and in response to the white paper entitled Restoring America’s Brand, A National Strategy to Compete for International Visitors, that was recently submitted to the Secretary of Commerce by the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB), the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), International Trade Administration (ITA), Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI), is issuing this E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM 27DEN1 77726 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 248 / Wednesday, December 27, 2006 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Request for Information (RFI) for assistance by interested government agencies, organizations, and industry businesses. The information requested may include: • An assessment of, or comment on, the white paper presented by the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which can be found at: https://tinet.ita.doc.gov/ TTAB/docs/2006_ FINALTTAB_National_ Tourism_Strategy.pdf. • Respondents are highly encouraged to provide specific comments on the recommendations that are covered in the white paper, organized by the sections: Æ making it easier for people to visit by balancing hospitality with security, Æ asking people to visit the United States through a nationally coordinated marketing program, and Æ demonstrating the value of travel and tourism to the nation’s economy. • In addition, respondents are encouraged to provide comments/ observations related to other areas of concern or issues that are not addressed in the white paper, such as: Æ sustainable tourism development, Æ medical tourism, Æ cultural heritage tourism development, Æ technical training/tours for business-to-business development, Æ education exchanges or attendance, Æ public-private partnerships, or Æ infrastructure challenges, to name a few. Comments will serve in the development of policies and programs to be implemented by the federal government concerning the tourism sector. The Government encourages both rigorous and creative solutions in response to this RFI. How to Respond The Department of Commerce is asking respondents to provide written input concerning any and all recommendations contained within the white paper submitted by the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and other aspects of travel and tourism that may not be addressed in the white paper. All responses should be e-mailed to either of the following members of the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries: julie.heizer@mail.doc.gov or Cynthia.warshaw@mail.doc.gov. Please use reference: 2006 RFI Restoring America’s Travel Brand, A National Strategy to Compete for International Visitors in the subject line of all correspondence. Please submit responses by January 19, 2007. Input provided through this RFI may be representative of the collective VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:43 Dec 26, 2006 Jkt 211001 opinion from a membership-wide survey of a travel and tourism industry trade association, or it can be submitted as the opinion of a single person. Any opinions or information received that are not specific to travel and tourism related issues will not be considered. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked ‘‘Proprietary’’ will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice will not be considered an offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Interested parties are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Additional information on the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the white paper submission may also be found at the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries Web site at: https:// www.tinet.ita.doc.gov. Points of Contact Julie Heizer, Deputy Director, Industry Relations, Phone 202.482.4904, Fax 202.482.2887, E-mail julie.heizer@mail.doc.gov Cynthia Warshaw, International Trade Specialist, Phone 202.482.4601, Fax 202.482.2887, E-mail Cynthia.warshaw@mail.doc.gov. Place of Performance Address: Washington, DC. Postal Code: 20230. Country: United States. You will find the RFI on the OTTI Web site at: https:// www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/. Dated: December 20, 2006. Helen N. Marano, Director, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries. [FR Doc. E6–22098 Filed 12–26–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 030602141–6326–45; I.D. 051906D] RIN 0648–ZB55 Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2007 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: The NOAA publishes this notice to provide the general public with a consolidated source of program and application information related to its competitive grant and cooperative agreement (CA) award offerings for fiscal year (FY) 2007. This Omnibus notice is designed to replace the multiple Federal Register notices that traditionally advertised the availability of NOAA’’s discretionary funds for its various programs. It should be noted that additional program initiatives unanticipated at the time of the publication of this notice may be announced through subsequent Federal Register notices. All announcements will also be available through the Grants.gov website. DATES: Proposals must be received by the date and time indicated under each program listing in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the addresses listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for each program. The Federal Register and Full Funding Opportunity (FFO) notices may be found on the Grants.gov website. The URL for Grants.gov is https:// www.grants.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the person listed within this notice as the information contact under each program. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicants must comply with all requirements contained in the FFO announcements for each of the programs listed in this omnibus notice. These FFOs are available at https:// www.grants.gov. The list of entries below describe the basic information and requirements for competitive grant/cooperative agreement programs offered by NOAA. These programs are open to any applicant who meets the eligibility criteria provided in each entry. To be considered for an award in a competitive grant/cooperative agreement program, an eligible applicant must submit a complete and responsive application to the appropriate program office. An award is made upon conclusion of the evaluation and selection process for the respective program. NOAA Project Competitions This omnibus notice describes funding opportunities for the following NOAA discretionary grant programs: National Marine Fisheries Service 1. 2007 Hawaii Seafood Program E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM 27DEN1

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[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77725-77726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22098]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Restoring America's Travel Brand: A National Strategy to Compete 
for International Visitors; Request for Information

General Information

    Document Type: Special Notice.
    Solicitation Number: Reference-Number.
    Posted Date: December 27, 2006.
    Original Response Date: January 24, 2007.

Requesting Office Address

    Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries 
(OTTI), 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 1003, Washington, DC 
20230.

Description/Background

    In support of competitive goals established by the President of the 
United States, and in response to the white paper entitled Restoring 
America's Brand, A National Strategy to Compete for International 
Visitors, that was recently submitted to the Secretary of Commerce by 
the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB), the U.S. Department 
of Commerce (DOC), International Trade Administration (ITA), Office of 
Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI), is issuing this

[[Page 77726]]

Request for Information (RFI) for assistance by interested government 
agencies, organizations, and industry businesses. The information 
requested may include:
     An assessment of, or comment on, the white paper presented 
by the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which can be found at: https://tinet.ita.doc.gov/TTAB/docs/2006_FINALTTAB_National_Tourism_Strategy.pdf.
     Respondents are highly encouraged to provide specific 
comments on the recommendations that are covered in the white paper, 
organized by the sections:
    [cir] making it easier for people to visit by balancing hospitality 
with security,
    [cir] asking people to visit the United States through a nationally 
coordinated marketing program, and
    [cir] demonstrating the value of travel and tourism to the nation's 
economy.
     In addition, respondents are encouraged to provide 
comments/observations related to other areas of concern or issues that 
are not addressed in the white paper, such as:
    [cir] sustainable tourism development,
    [cir] medical tourism,
    [cir] cultural heritage tourism development,
    [cir] technical training/tours for business-to-business 
development,
    [cir] education exchanges or attendance,
    [cir] public-private partnerships, or
    [cir] infrastructure challenges, to name a few.
    Comments will serve in the development of policies and programs to 
be implemented by the federal government concerning the tourism sector.
    The Government encourages both rigorous and creative solutions in 
response to this RFI.

How to Respond

    The Department of Commerce is asking respondents to provide written 
input concerning any and all recommendations contained within the white 
paper submitted by the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and other 
aspects of travel and tourism that may not be addressed in the white 
paper.
    All responses should be e-mailed to either of the following members 
of the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries: 
julie.heizer@mail.doc.gov or Cynthia.warshaw@mail.doc.gov.
    Please use reference: 2006 RFI Restoring America's Travel Brand, A 
National Strategy to Compete for International Visitors in the subject 
line of all correspondence. Please submit responses by January 19, 
2007.
    Input provided through this RFI may be representative of the 
collective opinion from a membership-wide survey of a travel and 
tourism industry trade association, or it can be submitted as the 
opinion of a single person. Any opinions or information received that 
are not specific to travel and tourism related issues will not be 
considered.
    This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and 
does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in 
response to this RFI that is marked ``Proprietary'' will be handled 
accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. In accordance 
with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice will not be considered an 
offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding 
contract. Interested parties are solely responsible for all expenses 
associated with responding to this RFI.
    Additional information on the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and 
the white paper submission may also be found at the Office of Travel & 
Tourism Industries Web site at: https://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov.

Points of Contact

    Julie Heizer, Deputy Director, Industry Relations, Phone 
202.482.4904, Fax 202.482.2887, E-mail julie.heizer@mail.doc.gov
    Cynthia Warshaw, International Trade Specialist, Phone 
202.482.4601, Fax 202.482.2887, E-mail Cynthia.warshaw@mail.doc.gov.

Place of Performance

    Address: Washington, DC.
    Postal Code: 20230.
    Country: United States.
    You will find the RFI on the OTTI Web site at: https://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/.

    Dated: December 20, 2006.
Helen N. Marano,
Director, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries.
[FR Doc. E6-22098 Filed 12-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P
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