(Credit: AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama focused on tourism today, using his weekly radio and Internet address to call attention to steps he outlined recently to make it easier for tourists to travel to the U.S.

Obama, who this week delivers his final State of the Union address before the 2012 election, says visitors to the U.S. spend money and are good for the economy. He says it could be the boost some businesses need to create jobs.

The initiative is part of an executive order he signed and Obama says congressional foot-dragging has prompted him to take executive actions in several areas he thinks could spur hiring.

For the Republicans, Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling says Obama's previous State of the Union addresses have offered plenty of promises but few results.

He says the 2009 economic stimulus plan is an example. Hensarling says Obama's policies "have failed the American people."