White House seeking to boost post-recession travel

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The White House on Wednesday sought to reassure travel industry leaders that the United States cares about tourism and hopes to push the industry as the country recovers from a recession that left many without the means to spend as much on vacations and business trips.

Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, told executives at the Global Travel & Tourism Summit that the U.S. wants to help make travel easy and safe, attract international visitors and spur business.

"All of these investments stem from a single belief: If it's easier to travel through the United States, more people will choose to do so," Jarrett said.

Jarrett was one …