Panels will focus on public policies needed to support tourism and major sporting events and the newest generation of travel tech innovators
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, announced the panel discussions they will hold at their second annual Policy and Innovation Showcase on Wednesday, May 7th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the Cannon Caucus Room.
“We are excited to offer two panel discussions at Travel Tech’s Policy & Innovation Showcase this year. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics on the horizon, we’ll discuss preparations for these events and how policymakers can support their success,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO. “Attendees will learn from our second panel about public policies needed to support travel tech start-ups.”
First Panel (5:10 to 5:30 pm):
“From Stadium to Stay: Building a Better Travel Experience to Support Mega Sports Events,” will examine the role of travel technology platforms in facilitating sports tourism, key lessons from prior global sporting events, the importance of having a variety of travel and lodging options and strategies to enhance visitor experiences while safeguarding consumers from fraud. Panelists include:
Second Panel (5:35 to 5:55 pm):
“Navigating the Unique Needs of Travel Tech Startups,” will focus on unique needs and challenges facing travel tech startups—from accessing capital to navigating the complex tax and regulatory landscapes. Panelists include:
Learn more about Travel Tech’s Policy & Innovation Showcase at https://traveltech.org/policy-innovation-showcase/
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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, March 26, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, is excited to announce it will host the inaugural Start-Up Summit and second annual Policy & Innovation Showcase on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
“These events provide an opportunity for Travel Tech to bring together industry leaders, start-ups, and policymakers, to highlight innovation in travel tech and public policies that benefit the industry,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association.
Travel Tech’s new Start-Up Summit welcomes select pre-seed and seed start-ups to Washington, DC for the opportunity to learn from and network with other travel technology entrepreneurs and industry leaders. The event will feature lighting pitches from travel technology start-ups, including Sevenly Travel, SparrowBid, and Walkntours and informational sessions with travel tech experts like Matt Zito, Managing Director at TSi, covering a range of topics, including strategies and tips on preparing for and maximizing angel investors and venture investments, seeking funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA), and how to advocate for public policies that support entrepreneurs. The Summit will take place from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on May 7, 2025.
Following the Start-Up Summit, Travel Tech will host its second annual Policy & Innovation Showcase on Capitol Hill. During this widely-attended event, attendees will hear from industry experts, interact with Travel Tech member companies, and learn about the Association’s work to make travel more transparent, competitive, and innovative for consumers. The showcase will feature two panel discussions, one on the power of sports tourism ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics and another on how public policy can support travel tech innovation and growth. Travel Tech will also present Travel Tech’s Innovation Leadership Award to select members of Congress. The Policy & Innovation Showcase will take place from 5 pm – 7 pm in the Cannon Caucus Room.
Sponsors of the events include Airbnb, Amadeus, Booking Holdings, Chase Travel Group, Sabre, Travelport, and Tripadvisor.
To learn more about the inaugural Start-Up Summit, please contact Bethany Reitsma, Senior Manager of Industry Relations, at breitsma@traveltech.org. To register for the second annual Policy & Innovation Showcase, please click here:
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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.
Episodes will provide analysis and insights about public policy issues impacting the travel technology industry
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, launched its new “Passport Podcast.” Hosted by Travel Tech President and CEO Laura Chadwick and featuring an industry expert each month, the podcast will explore the top news stories at the intersection of travel, technology, and public policy. The Passport Podcast is a companion to Travel Tech’s weekly Passport Newsletter.
“I am pleased to announce the launch of Travel Tech’s new Passport Podcast. Every month, I’ll be joined by an industry expert to discuss how larger debates on tech policy and beyond could impact the travel tech industry,” said Chadwick. “Together, we will help our listeners understand what is happening in Washington, DC and state houses across the country and what it means for their companies.”
On the inaugural episode of the “Passport Podcast” released today, Laura Chadwick sits down with Brandon Palumbo, Travel Tech’s Director of Policy and Government Relations, to discuss the new Trump administration and its potential impact on the travel technology industry, focusing on AI regulation, airline competition, and antitrust enforcement. The first episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Carroll Rheem, Founder and CEO of Iolite group and former Director of Research at Phocuswright, will join Laura on the April 2025 episode of the “Passport Podcast.” Rheem will also share her recent research on consumer adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for travel planning.
Want to stay up-to-date every week on current and emerging policy issues facing the travel tech industry? Subscribe to Travel Tech’s weekly Passport Newsletter at traveltech.org/subscribe.
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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, February 26, 2025 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, announced its new Innovation Advisory Council. This group will advise the association on its efforts to support travel tech start-ups and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through its Advocate membership level and annual events.
The Innovation Advisory Council brings together leading travel tech industry experts and entrepreneurs who work regularly with travel tech start-ups and SMBs. The Council will provide guidance and input on how Travel Tech can meet the needs of travel tech start-ups and SMBs as they work to launch and scale their businesses. Their combined experience will be an invaluable resource to Travel Tech and its Advocate members.
Members of Travel Tech’s Innovation Advisory Council include:
Travel Tech’s Advocate membership program, centered around its three pillars of community, programming, and advocacy, empowers start-ups and small and medium sized travel tech companies with the expertise, resources, and network they need to thrive.
“I’m thrilled to work with Travel Tech’s Innovation Advisory Council members,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “Their collective knowledge and expertise will supercharge Travel Tech’s efforts to support the next generation of travel innovators.”
Are you a travel tech start-up or small business? Click here to learn more and join Travel Tech’s Advocate membership program.
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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, February 19, 2025 —Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, hosted a webinar for congressional staff members on how generative AI travel tools can improve the travel planning experience.
Panelists included Lara Tennyson, Head of US Federal Affairs at Bookings Holdings; Carroll Rheem, Founder and CEO of Iolite Group and member of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board; and Mayank Makkar, Founder of Rivi. The discussion was moderated by Travel Tech President and CEO Laura Chadwick.
The panelists discussed how various AI travel tools can be used to personalize destination recommendations and streamline the planning and booking process. The panelists also presented research on the use of generative AI in travel planning and activities, highlighting that a majority of consumers use AI for a variety of travel related activities: comparing and choosing destinations, researching flights, exploring short-term rental options, and more.
“We spend so much money and our precious time off, we want to make sure we’re going to have the best vacation possible,” said Carroll Rheem of Iolite Group. “AI can provide a great amount of comfort, especially knowing how much data and information it can pour through on your behalf to alleviate some of that feeling like shopping for travel can be a chore.”
The webinar also highlighted data from Travel Tech’s recent partnership with Capitol CNCT to explore the travel habits of congressional staff. The survey found that two-thirds of congressional staff take at least half of their paid time-off, and despite growing interest in AI, only 12.5% of congressional staff currently use AI tools to plan their vacations.
“Looking at some of the different Gen AI tools, one of the key benefits is time efficiency,” said Lara Tennyson of Booking Holdings on the benefits of using AI with travel. “You can use that AI chat planner to help you figure out where you’d like to travel and when you’d like to travel, and hopefully save yourself time and some of the work that you would have put in before having to go to various websites.”
“I believe AI is one of those technologies that will be integrated into almost every touch point in travel or any other industry,” said Mayank Makkar, Founder of Rivi. “So I feel for the next few years, you’re going to see that almost everything that we do, and not just in travel planning, but actually during the trip, going to an airport, or whatever touch points that we have in our overall travel journey, we’ll have AI making things simpler.”
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is a non-profit empowering traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes transparency, competition and innovation. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, and 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.
Friday, February 7, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative emphasizing the impacts of Global Digital Services Taxes (DSTs) on travel technology companies and the travel industry at large.
Travel Tech’s letter urges the Trump Administration to leverage all available tools to counteract DSTs, which unfairly target travel tech companies utilizing “digital interfaces” such as online travel agencies (OTAs), short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems (GDSs), and travel management companies. This letter follows an earlier letter sent by Travel Tech to the former U.S. Trade Representative in response to Canada implementing the DST last year.
“Our members are at the forefront of digital innovation in travel, connecting consumers with travel service suppliers,” stated Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech. “The unequal impact of DSTs on travel marketplaces threatens to undermine transparency and distort competition in the travel industry, ultimately harming consumers.”
In its letter, Travel Tech highlights how DSTs disproportionately impact travel technology companies by taxing revenue rather than net income, disregarding differences in business models and cost structures. Travel Tech members typically operate on slim profit margins, facilitating transactions between service providers and consumers, as well as service provider-to-service provider or B2B transactions – without retaining the majority of revenue. This tax model risks pushing many companies from profitability into loss, undermining their ability to compete globally.
Travel Tech also highlights the risk of double taxation, where multiple jurisdictions impose taxes on the same revenue streams, creating confusion and inefficiency. Furthermore, the introduction of DSTs requires new tools and metrics to track and calculate taxes based on user location – information that may not be easily accessible for B2B travel technology providers and may conflict with existing data protection standards. This not only burdens the companies themselves but also trickles down to consumers, who face higher costs for travel services as companies attempt to absorb these taxes.
Read Travel Tech’s full letter here:
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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, January 29, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, welcomed three new start-ups to its recently expanded Advocate Membership program: Mobi, Snowflake, and Hightouch.
Mobi, Snowflake, and Hightouch are part of the newest generation of travel technology innovators. They harness the power of AI and other advanced technologies to support travel service providers and their customers.
“At Travel Tech, we are committed to supporting the newest generation of travel technology leaders,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “Our Advocate membership program provides start-ups and SMBs with the resources, connections, and advocacy they need to thrive. We’re thrilled to welcome Mobi, Snowflake, and Hightouch to our growing community and assist them as they shape the future of travel technology.”
Travel Tech’s expanded Advocate membership program offers direct and comprehensive support to the next generation of travel tech innovators. Benefits include monthly educational webinars led by travel tech industry experts, opportunities to network with and connect to other travel tech start-ups and SMBs, a subscription to Travel Tech’s monthly Innovation Policy Newsletter, and participation in Travel Tech events.
Interested in joining the growing Travel Tech community? Click here to learn more.
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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.
Zito will offer his unparalleled expertise and knowledge on Travel Tech’s Advocate Member Meet-Up, which is being offered this month for free to industry members
Join Matt Zito of TSi and the Travel Technology Association team next week at its monthly Advocate Member Meet-Up held online. All interested travel tech start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses are welcome to join this meeting for free. It will take place on Tuesday, January 28th, at 11:00 am ET/8:00 am PT.
Attendance at these monthly meet-ups is one of the many benefits that Travel Tech offers through its Advocate Membership program. Every month, Advocate members will learn practical business advice from travel tech industry leaders, have opportunities to discuss industry issues and build community with leaders like you and get information about public policies directly impacting travel tech start-ups and SMBs.
January Advocate Member Meet-Up Agenda
“I welcome all travel tech start-ups and SMBs to come to our January Advocate Member Meet-Up for free and check out the benefits we offer,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “As a non-profit, we are dedicated to helping the travel technology industry members, small and large, thrive.”
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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, January 22, 2025 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (“Travel Tech”) announced its pro-innovation public policy priorities to support the growth and success of travel tech start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As the travel technology industry’s voice in Washington, DC, Travel Tech will advocate for the passage of legislation that allows travel tech start-ups and SMBs to retain more of their earnings, have greater access to capital, and compete in the A.I. marketplace.
Laura Chadwick, Travel Tech’s president & CEO, stated, “With the inauguration of President Trump earlier this week and the start of a new Congress, Travel Tech is well-positioned to deliver public policy results that directly help the newest generation of travel tech innovators thrive.”
Travel Tech has recently announced an expansion of its Advocate membership benefits focused on start-ups and SMBs. It now provides access to practical business advice programming and opportunities to build community with other leaders and get involved with the association’s advocacy efforts, and more. Next week, Travel Tech’s monthly Advocate Member Meet-Up will feature Matt Zito, Managing Partner at TSi for programming on the “Top New Year Resolutions for Travel Tech Start-Ups.” Travel tech companies are invited to participate in this meeting for free: Register Here.
Travel Tech’s Pro-Innovation Public Policy Priorities
to Support Travel Tech Start-Ups and SMBs
Priority One:
Support an extension of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions that allow travel tech start-ups and SMBs to retain more of their earnings, which can then be reinvested into companies’ expansion, product development, hiring, or other key initiatives.
In 2025, President Trump and congressional leaders plan to use the reconciliation process to extend many parts of the TCJA. Travel Tech supports the following provisions:
Priority Two:
Advocate for legislation that expands travel tech innovators’ access to capital, simplifies federal programs, and protects key pathways for startup and SMB growth, such as:
Priority Three:
Urge the adoption of policies that empower travel tech startups to innovate, compete, and thrive in the A.I. marketplace.
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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.
As part of Travel Tech’s expanded Advocate membership program, Zito will offer practical business advice and resources to help travel tech start-ups succeed
Wednesday, January 8, 2024 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) announced a new partnership with Matt Zito, Managing Partner at TSi, to provide practical business advice and resources to travel tech start-ups through Travel Tech’s newly-expanded Advocate membership program. Travel Tech’s Advocate membership provides programming, community, and advocacy benefits to start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses.
Matt Zito, known as a “super-connector” in the travel industry, is a seasoned M&A broker, travel tech CEO coach, and startup advisor. With decades of experience as a founder, investor, and dealmaker, Matt will offer his unparalleled expertise and knowledge to Travel Tech Advocate members on the association’s monthly Advocate Member Community Calls and at Travel Tech’s inaugural Start-Up Summit on May 7th in Washington, DC. Additionally, Advocate members will receive free access to TSi’s four-week Travel Tech Start-Up Acceleration Program (a $800 value).
“I am excited to partner with Travel Tech on its expanded Advocate membership program,” said Matt Zito, Managing Partner at TSi. “Having built and supported travel startups, I look forward to providing Travel Tech’s Advocate members with the resources they need to succeed and scale their businesses.”
“Travel Tech is thrilled to collaborate with Matt Zito, a leader in the travel tech industry, to enhance our support for travel startups and SMBs. This partnership will provide essential tools and resources to our growing community of Advocate members, empowering them to succeed,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “This collaboration highlights our commitment to fostering innovation and delivering unmatched support for the next generation of travel innovators.”
Learn more about Travel Tech’s Advocate Membership by registering for the first monthly Advocate Membership call.
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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.
Monday, April 28, 2025 — Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released a statement on the passage of H.R.1479, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 in the House. “Travel Tech applauds the House for passing H.R. 1479, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, which will require consumers to […]
