U.S. Travel's advocacy agenda addresses the key policies and pain points that will strengthen the travel industry, furthering our mission to grow travel to and within the U.S across all segments: domestic leisure, business, group and international inbound. In 2024, U.S. Travel is laser-focused on achieving the following goals:
1. STRENGTHEN BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR TRAVEL’S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
Develop and secure the introduction of (3) standalone bills to broaden bipartisan support for policies that streamline visa processing, improve customs and entry procedures, and modernize domestic air passenger screening.
2. DEEPEN THE BENCH OF CONGRESSIONAL CHAMPIONS.
Significantly expand the Travel Works program, deepening relationships with elected officials alongside U.S. Travel members and industry partners, with a goal of 24 events in 2024.
3. ESTABLISH TRAVEL AS ESSENTIAL WITH CONGRESS, THE ADMINISTRATION AND THOUGHT LEADERS.
Deliver research and messaging demonstrating travel as an economic powerhouse, social benefactor, and paramount to the United States’ global competitiveness. Elevate U.S. Travel’s presence among elite policymaking and political circles – including the international business community.
TOP 10 POLICY GOALS FOR 2024
In 2024, U.S. Travel is advocating for 10 critical policy goals to increase travel to and within the United States. The policy goals align with U.S. Travel's strategic priorities to:
IMPROVE THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE FROM POINT A TO POINT B
1. Seamless and Secure Travel: Create a 10-year vision for seamless and secure air travel.
2. Identity Verification Technologies: Continue to advocate for the appropriate use of identity verification technologies to improve the passenger experience and strengthen national security.
3. Visitor Visa Processing: Continue to reduce interview wait times for first-time visitor visas, which are still nearly 400 days in top inbound markets to the U.S.
4. CBP and TSA Passenger Screening: Reduce U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times and streamline passenger screening procedures.
MODERNIZE TRAVEL MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
5. Surface Transportation: Advocate for nationally significant travel mobility projects and develop legislative priorities for the next major infrastructure bill due in 2026.
6. National Parks: Develop and build Congressional support for policies to improve and modernize the National Park System in preparation for the reauthorization of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2025.
ENHANCE AND PROTECT THE INDUSTRY’S GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS
7. Government Leadership: Strengthen the Federal government’s leadership and focus on policies to grow all segments of travel to and within the United States.
8. Sustainable Travel: Leverage the Sustainable Travel Coalition to spotlight and support industry-wide progress on sustainable travel, including in the media, with Congress, and the Administration.
9. Travel Workforce: Expand access to a diverse, skilled, and thriving workforce that can foster innovation, improve customer experiences, and support industry growth.
10. Monitor and Mitigate Industry Threats: Monitor national issues that pose an elevated risk to the travel industry and develop strategies to mitigate such risks if warranted, whether related to federal tax policies, federal emissions regulations, credit card reward programs, workforce, national parks, so-called “junk fees”, or public health risks.