Corporation for Travel Promotion names first CEO

Jim Evans

The Corporation for Travel Promotion announced it has named Jim Evans as the organization's first CEO.

Evans will be responsible for leading the organization's efforts to promote the U.S. as a travel destination and strengthen the country’s tourism industry. Evans previously held top positions at Best Western and Jenny Craig and also served as the senior vice president for marketing at Hyatt.

“After considering dozens of candidates, Jim stood out to us as one of the most accomplished executives in the industry today, and he is the board’s unanimous choice to build America’s first national program to attract international travel,” said Stephen Cloobeck, chairman of the Corporation for Travel Promotion and chief executive of Las Vegas-based Diamond Resorts.

The Corporation for Travel Promotion was created last year after the Travel Promotion Act was signed into law in March 2010 to help U.S. Travel destinations such as Las Vegas capture a greater global market. The organization has been in search of a CEO since.

The announcement of Evans' appointment comes during the World Travel and Tourism Council in Las Vegas this week where some of the world’s top tourism officials are discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the international tourism industry.

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