Monday, September 8, 2025 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, submitted comments in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) request for information (RFI) on its FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.
Travel Tech’s comments encourage the DOT to adopt strategies to increase competition among airlines, update existing regulations to ensure consumers understand the full cost of their travel, and convene technical experts to build agency knowledge about the dynamic, API-driven ecosystems of airlines and intermediaries that support the distribution of airline content and sale of tickets.
In its comments, Travel Tech also urges the DOT to provide oversight of the ongoing implementation of New Distribution Capability or “NDC.” In 2014, DOT approved the International Air Transport Association’s proposal for airlines to adopt the NDC standard, while also imposing important safeguards to protect consumers, including that anonymous shopping must be preserved. Since then, DOT has not solicited feedback on implementation status, its impact on competition and consumers, nor issued any reports on the matter.
“Travel Tech appreciates the opportunity to provide input to the DOT as it develops its FY 2026 – 2030 Strategic Plan. Our members are dedicated to empowering traveler choice through transparency and competition,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO, “We look forward to working with the DOT to achieve its goals.”
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 — At Travel Tech’s inaugural Start-Up Summit in May, AirHelp CEO Tomasz Pawliszyn shared his company’s journey from a small travel start-up to a global leader in air passenger compensation. AirHelp helps travelers worldwide navigate the complex process of securing financial compensation for delayed or canceled flights.
In a conversation with Travel Tech President & CEO Laura Chadwick, AirHelp CEO Tomasz Pawliszyn shared the journey of scaling AirHelp from a start-up into a global player serving both B2C and B2B markets. Pawliszyn detailed his strategic approach and patience it takes to build B2B partnerships in the travel industry —some deals take years to launch. Rather than going directly to decision-makers, he leveraged industry events to connect with people who can make introductions and share insights.
Pawliszyn stressed the importance of tailoring pitches to each partner’s priorities. For OTAs, the focus is on added revenue and improved customer satisfaction; for travel management companies, it’s about enhancing NPS scores and cutting costs; for insurers, it’s a differentiator for their policies.
Beyond partnerships, Pawliszyn provided insights into his experiences working with regulators in the U.S. and Europe to ensure passenger rights are upheld, as well as advice for those interested in founding a start-up.
“In my view, today is the best time to start any company, especially travel technology start-ups, due to the reduced costs of AI and modern software,” said Pawliszyn. “Resilience and optimism are key. You should find your way and just go for it.”
Learn more about Travel Tech’s Advocate Member Program to gain access to entrepreneurs and advice like this from Tomasz Pawliszyn.
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, is pleased to announce its upcoming Start-Up & Investor Connect Webinar, taking place on Tuesday, July 22, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET.
If you aren’t ready to pitch, you’re welcome to register as a general attendee for the opportunity to see how others pitch and what kind of response they get.
This dynamic, fast-paced virtual event will bring together a curated group of early-stage travel tech founders and active investors to spotlight innovation and spark new connections. Start-up participants will each have five minutes to pitch their companies directly to industry investors, followed by live Q&A and optional follow-up introductions to help keep the conversation going.
Start-ups scheduled to present so far include BaggageTAXI, Nowy, RoomRite, and Walkntours, with a few spots still open exclusively to Travel Tech Advocate Members. As part of membership, start-ups also receive benefits tailored to pre-seed and seed-level companies, such as free access to Matt Zito’s Travel Startups Incubator 4-Week Acceleration Program, networking opportunities at monthly member meetings, ongoing company promotion, and so much more. Learn more now.
The Start-Up & Investor Connect Webinar builds on the momentum of Travel Tech’s successful in-person Start-Up Summit, held earlier this spring in Washington, DC, where entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers explored the future of travel technology together.
“Travel Tech was founded to champion innovation and connect the brightest minds in travel technology,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “This webinar is part of our ongoing mission to open doors for early-stage companies, giving them the chance to pitch directly to investors who understand the travel tech space. We’re excited to see what ideas and collaborations emerge from this session.”
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Friday, July 4, 2025 — Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement after President Trump signed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ into law:
“Travel Tech applauds the President for signing into law key pro-innovation provisions of the final reconciliation bill that will deliver targeted, pro-growth tax relief for both travel tech startups and established technology providers serving millions of travelers worldwide.”
“The new law makes full expensing for domestic research and development (R&D) permanent, restores 100% bonus depreciation, preserves the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction for pass-through businesses, and modernizes Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) rules. Together, these provisions provide companies across the travel technology ecosystem with greater certainty to invest in product development, expand hiring, and drive innovation.”
“Travel Tech championed these pro-innovation policies because they provide essential support and unlock capital for startups, while also giving larger travel technology companies the certainty to invest in new products, grow their workforce, and accelerate innovation across the industry.”
“While this bill provides crucial support for innovation and investment, unfortunately it also cuts funding for Brand USA at a time when the U.S. should be doubling down on promoting tourism, not pulling back. With major global events like the 2026 World Cup, America250, and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, this is a critical moment to strengthen—not weaken—our international marketing efforts.”
“We want to thank President Trump and congressional leaders in the House and Senate for working diligently to get this bill across the finish line which will ultimately result in innovation, investment, and growth across the travel technology sector. This legislation is an important step toward strengthening America’s digital economy and ensuring that travel technology companies of all sizes have the resources needed to grow, compete, and deliver value to travelers and businesses alike.”
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 — Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released a statement following the Senate’s passage of the reconciliation bill:
“The Travel Technology Association applauds the Senate for advancing critical provisions that support innovation, investment, and growth across the travel technology sector.”
“By making full expensing for domestic research and development (R&D) permanent and restoring 100% bonus depreciation, the bill supports travel technology companies—both large and small—as they develop and deploy new technology including AI-powered tools and invest in the capital-intensive upgrades to server architecture, data centers, and cloud systems needed to sustain innovation across the industry.”
“Additionally, by preserving the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction and modernizing Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) rules, the bill will unlock investment, accelerate product development, and enhance U.S. competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global travel landscape. Travel Tech has championed policies like these, which provide critical support for startups driving innovation and competition throughout the sector.”
“However, while the Senate’s tax package advances critical support for innovation and investment, it cuts funding for Brand USA at a time when the U.S. should be doubling down on promoting tourism, not pulling back. With major global events like the 2026 World Cup, America250, and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, this is a critical moment to strengthen—not weaken—our international marketing efforts.”
“Our members play a critical role in connecting travelers to local communities. We know firsthand how tourism—and Brand USA’s work—drives billions in spending in the U.S., supporting local jobs and businesses, and fueling economic growth in every state.”
“Travel Tech will continue to work with the administration and Congressional leaders to restore full funding for Brand USA and ensure the U.S. travel industry remains competitive on the world stage.”
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, is excited to welcome three new start-ups to its Advocate Member Program: Nowy, RoomRite and Walkntours.
These start-ups are part of the newest generation of travel tech innovators, utilizing the latest technologies to help travelers get the best experiences when planning or booking their trips. As Advocate members, they have access to benefits geared towards pre-seed and seed-level companies. These include connecting with fellow founders, mentors, and industry experts at monthly membership meetings, free access to the “Travel Startups Incubator 4-Week Acceleration Program” developed by Matt Zito of TSi, participating in Travel Tech’s in-person and online events, and more. Additionally, Advocate members are featured on Travel Tech’s website with an Innovator Profile — learn out more about Nowy and Walkntours.
Nowy and Walkntours participated in Travel Tech’s inaugural Start-Up Summit and second annual Policy and Innovation Showcase earlier this year, where they had the opportunity to learn from and network with other travel technology entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
“Travel Tech was founded over twenty-five years ago by the original travel innovators, and we’re proud to support the newest generation through our Advocate program,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “Membership provides emerging companies with the knowledge, community, and promotion and access they need to grow. We’re excited to welcome Nowy, RoomRite and Walkntours to our network and look forward to their impact on the future of travel.”
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes transparency, competition and innovation. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Travel Tech calls on Senate Finance Committee and travel tech industry members to take action.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee today urging it to make permanent the full and immediate expensing of R&D investments and bonus depreciation in its budget reconciliation bill. The Senate Finance Committee will soon consider this legislation in order to meet its self-imposed July 4th full Senate passage deadline.
The House-passed reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extended R&D expensing and bonus depreciation for only five years. However, the permanence of these provisions is essential. Without permanence, travel tech companies, both large and small, will face difficulties in planning multi-year investments in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These innovations are transforming customer expectations and market dynamics in the travel industry.
“Permanent R&D expensing and bonus depreciation tax provisions directly enhance the ability of travel technology platforms to deploy new features faster, improve system performance, and compete in the global travel marketplace driven by speed, scale, and service reliability,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO of Travel Tech. “These permanent tax provisions are essential to support innovation in the travel technology industry as it develops and deploys new AI-based tools.”
Federal R&D expensing allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of qualified research and development activities from their taxable income in the year the expenses are incurred. This accelerates tax savings, improves cash flow, and encourages innovation by reducing the after-tax cost of developing new products, technologies, or processes.
Bonus depreciation is a tax incentive that allows businesses to immediately deduct a large percentage of the cost of qualifying capital investments, like equipment, machinery, or certain software, in the year the asset is placed in service, rather than spreading the deduction over several years.
Travel Tech previously issued an “Action Alert” encouraging its members and industry stakeholders to contact their Senators to support permanent R&D tax expensing and bonus depreciation through its Policy Action Center. Travel Tech has pre-drafted a letter on these issues for industry members to easily send to their representatives directly from its Policy Action Center.
Learn more about Travel Tech’s policy priorities and take action to support Permanent R&D Expensing by visiting Travel Tech’s Policy Action Center.
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 – At Travel Tech’s recent Start-Up Summit, Matthew Stevens, Deputy Associate Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), pulled back the curtain on the agency’s tools and programs built specifically for innovation-driven startups—and the investors backing them too.
Whether you’re building new technology, looking for non-dilutive capital, or scaling into government contracting, you’ll want to explore programs like the SBIR grant, Growth Accelerator Fund, and SBIC investor network.
From $3.5B in annual innovation funding to local mentorship and training hubs across the country, these under-the-radar SBA programs can give your travel tech startup a real edge.
Fill out the form below for access to our exclusive Takeaways Brief from this SBA session, including:
Top funding opportunities you probably haven’t heard of
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, released results from its recent consumer survey. The survey gathered insights on travel research and booking habits, behaviors, and attitudes of U.S. consumers.
“Travel technology companies offer essential services to travelers as they plan their trips. However, our members do so much more, from driving bookings to travel service providers like hotels and airlines to offering a wide range of lodging options to support local tourism activities,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO of Travel Tech.
Key findings of the survey:
A majority of consumers believe that travel comparison tools save them money.
A majority of consumers save time by using price comparison tools for travel planning.
Online research using Travel Tech member platforms drives direct bookings to hotels and airlines, known as the “Billboard Effect.”
97% of consumers believe having a mix of lodging options is beneficial to local economies.
Consumers find value in having access to a variety of lodging options.
Younger consumers are turning to social media for travel inspiration and research.
80% of consumers agree that online travel comparison tools enable competition between travel service providers which ultimately lowers prices.
More than 66% of consumers believe they save two hours or more in the travel planning process using comparison tools.
82% of consumers booked directly on an airline, hotel, or car rental service’s site after researching options using a Travel Tech member site.
Over one-third of travelers (36%) have used social media sites to research travel-related services.
Of those 36% of consumers who use social media to research travel, almost two-thirds (64%) are Gen Z.
The above insights are from an online survey of 1,522 U.S. adults aged 18 and up fielded between January 27 to February 11, 2025.
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 –Travel tech entrepreneur Matt Zito, Managing Partner at TSi, and venture fund investor Cara Whitehill, Vice President, Thayer Ventures shared the key qualities they look for in start-up leaders at Travel Tech’s recent Start-Up Summit.
Whether you’re launching your MVP or navigating your first raise, don’t miss out on their valuable insights, like “Trust Comes First,” “Misconception: It’s All About Revenue” and more!
Fill out the form below for exclusive access to these Top 7 Tips from Matt and Cara that you won’t want to miss:
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
What Travel Tech Investors Really Want: 7 Key Takeaways for Travel Tech Start-Ups
Monday, September 8, 2025 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, submitted comments in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) request for information (RFI) on its FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. Travel Tech’s comments encourage the DOT to adopt strategies to increase competition […]
