The U.S. Travel Association called the establishment of the role of Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce “a tremendous win for travelers, the travel industry and America’s economy.”

The new post was part of the government’s funding bill, which includes the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act.

In a statement, Geoff Freeman, CEO of U.S. Travel, said the idea of creating a presidentially appointed, U.S. Senate-confirmed position to lead federal travel policy has been around for decades. Thanks to a bipartisan and bicameral group of congressional leaders, he said, the US will now join all other G20 countries with a senior federal official focused on travel.

The assistant secretary, said Freeman, “will play an important role as we partner with government to lower visitor visa wait times, modernize security screening and leverage new technologies to make travel more seamless and secure.”