Mike Gallagher Receives Hall of Fame Lifetime Contribution in Tourism Award

The award, which was presented today at the ITB (International Tourism Bourse) travel trade show in Berlin, honors Gallagher’s many contributions to the travel industry, including his involvement in the passage of the landmark 2010 Travel Promotion Act.

Prior to launching CityPASS in 1996 with his partner Mike Morey, Gallagher had accumulated a wealth of experience as a theme-park executive. He started his career in various operations and marketing capacities at SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo. He later joined Marine World Africa USA (now Six Flags Discovery Kingdom), where he achieved the position of executive vice president.

Shortly after leaving Marine World in 1997, Gallagher and Morey introduced the CityPASS program in two West Coast cities: San Francisco and Seattle. The program, which bundles tickets to a city’s top attractions into a single pass that saves travelers up to 50 percent off the combined regular admission costs, quickly grew in popularity. CityPASS is now available in 10 major North American cities and Southern California, where the pass covers admission to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, and the San Diego Zoo.

In addition to CityPASS, Gallagher makes time to serve as a leading figure in the travel industry. He was the chairman of the California Travel Industry Association in 1985 and again in 1995. He is a founding commissioner of the California Travel and Tourism Commission, which was established in 1998, and currently serves as the vice-chair of marketing for the organization. He also sits on the Board of Directors for San Francisco Travel, San Francisco’s official convention and visitor bureau, and is an active member of 13 additional destination-marketing offices. Presently, Gallagher serves as a board member for the U.S. Travel Association and holds an Executive Committee seat. He was involved in the passage of the 2010 Travel Promotion Act and was a member of the task force that created the blueprint for the United States’ new Corporation for Travel Promotion.