Obama administration officials to attend global tourism summit

One of President Obama's closest advisers, Valerie Jarrett, and a pair of other administration officials will attend a global tourism summit being hosted next week in Las Vegas.

World Travel & Tourism Council president David Scowsill told The Hill Monday that Jarrett, Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napoliatano would all attend his organization's 11th annual summit. The meeting, scheduled for May 17 to 19, will bring together 100 leaders of tour-related businesses with some of the Obama administration's top brass.

The summit will look at emerging travel markets such as China and India and ways the U.S. visa process can be expedited so the country can remain a competitive destination for international tourists.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón will also attend the summit, Scowsill said Monday.