Loews Hotels & Resorts chairman Jonathan M. Tisch today that the travel industry must take on the challenge of improving our nation’s aging infrastructure and seize the opportunities presented by a boom in global travel. Tisch made the remarks today before an audience of 2,200 at the 34th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference.

“We’re on the verge of the greatest boom market in our industry’s history,” he said. “The critical question is: Will the U.S. be able to compete effectively for these travelers?”

Tisch noted that problem most affecting the outcome is the state of U.S. infrastructure, exhibited by congested runways and aging airport terminals and facilities. He urged private sector investors to partner with government to address the infrastructure challenge, citing promising success stories in Chicago, California and New York.  “Many leaders in our industry have a strong entrepreneurial bent and deep experience leveraging private financing to complete complex projects,” he said. “Let’s make a commitment to apply some of that creative energy to a challenge that is critical to our industry’s and our country’s future.”