Promotes Companies as the Engines Behind Traveler Choice
Monday, November 27th — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) unveiled a campaign this week educating policymakers on the importance of Global Distribution Systems (GDS), which power the technology behind online travel sites, mobile apps, travel agents, and a multitude of travel solutions. With a sponsorship of Politico’s Morning Transportation newsletter and a new website and video, Travel Tech is advocating for the technology and companies that increase transparency and choice in travel.
Travel Tech represents leading GDS members Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport. Without GDS platforms, travel bookers would be unable to compare prices in one place, forcing them to visit airline, hotel, car rental, and other travel suppliers’ websites one by one in search of the best prices and schedules.
“GDS technology allows consumers and travel agents to compare schedules, fares, and fees between travel suppliers, making travel more competitive and accessible,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech. “Travel Tech members provide consumers with choice at each stage of their travel journey. If airlines or other travel suppliers choose not to share ancillary fee data with GDS companies, it harms not only the GDS but their own customers.”
The new video developed by Travel Tech describes how GDS platforms work by connecting travel bookers and travel suppliers to promote price transparency and competition. GDS technology allows consumers to search for, compare, and book among thousands of travel options.
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.
Thursday, November 16th, 2023 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, led an interactive panel discussion focused on “Responsible AI: Is Regulation the Answer and How Far Should It Go?” at the recent Phocuswright Conference held in Hollywood, FL.
Robert Cole, CEO, RockCheetah, Sundar Narasimhan, SVP, President of Sabre Labs & Product Strategy, Sabre, and Lara Tennyson, Head of US Federal Affairs, Booking Holdings joined Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech on the panel.
“Since the debut of ChatGPT over a year ago, policymakers in Washington, DC have grappled with what, if anything, government should do to regulate the use of AI, which will undoubtedly impact both large and small travel tech companies,” said Chadwick. The innovative travel technology industry has long employed AI and machine learning to support and streamline their companies’ or clients’ business functions. Recently, industry members have developed and debuted new tools to empower traveler choice.
Panelists and audience members at the Phocuswright session shared their concerns about the consequences of overregulation and how important it is to have travel innovators as part of the policymaking process. They also agreed that the travel tech industry should come together to promote the responsible use of AI in travel.
“We heard important feedback at this session to guide Travel Tech’s advocacy with members of Congress and the Biden Administration,” said Chadwick. “This is the essence of the work we do at Travel Tech to support the industry on this topic and many others. I strongly encourage others to reach out to the association and share their points of view.”
Share Your Thoughts about Responsible AI: Is Regulation the Answer and How Far Should It Go?
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.
Association to Submit Comments in Response to Junk Fee Challenges in the Indirect Channel
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published its proposed Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees and is currently seeking public comment. If adopted, this wide-sweeping regulation would directly impact companies in the travel tech sector, including those that engage in the indirect sale of hotel rooms or other places of short-term lodging and/or place a surcharge on consumer transactions to cover the cost of payment processing and beyond.
To support travel tech industry members, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) has developed a free regulatory analysis to help companies understand this proposed new regulation. Travel Tech is working with its members to submit comments by the new official due date of February 7, 2024. (Interested in learning more about membership? Learn more here.)
“Travel Tech members are committed to operating transparently. It is central to the benefits they provide to consumers,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech. “To protect competition and transparency, any regulations in this area must apply equally to all entities providing travel pricing information, both online and offline.”
Access Travel Tech’s Free Regulatory Analysis on FTC Junk Fees
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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.
Bill’s Safe Harbor Provision is Essential for Pro-Consumer Price Comparison Sites
On Wednesday, November 1st, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a markup on the No Hidden FEES Act of 2023. The Act will require – for the first time ever in federal law – consumers are shown the total price for a hotel room (including rate and all mandatory fees) wherever hotel pricing is available. Under this legislation, the total price must be “transparent to and easily understood by the consumer.”
Travel Tech and its members continue to engage on this important legislation, working with subcommittee staff to incorporate a safe harbor provision similar to those used in many states for sales and occupancy tax collection.
Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech said: “Providing transparent and competitive pricing to consumers is central to price comparison websites’ business models. The safe harbor language ensures that hotels must share their resort fees not only on their own websites but on price comparison sites too.”
“Without a safe harbor, price comparison sites would have to engage in costly, time-intensive investigations and contract dispute litigation with the tens of thousands of hotels providing their rates and taxes – but not their mandatory fees – to these sites,” Chadwick added. “Doing so will detract from price comparison sites’ core purpose: providing a transparent and competitive marketplace for consumers to find and book their travel.”
Multiple states have identical safe harbor laws for sales and/or occupancy tax collection. In these cases, if sellers fail to provide accurate tax information to price comparison sites, the sellers are ultimately responsible – not the marketplace. The same should follow on the federal level if a hotel provides inaccurate resort fees to a travel marketplace.
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.
Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 – The Travel Technology Association announced its support for extending competitive tax policies vital to workers and America’s economic future, including immediate R&D expensing, a pro-growth interest deductibility standard, and full expensing.
In a letter to Congress led by the R&D Coalition, Travel Tech urged members of Congress to work together to pass these tax policies that are critically important for the travel technology industry. Allowing for immediate R&D expensing will secure the U.S. as a global leader in innovation, incentivize job-creating investments, and reinforce America’s competitiveness on the world stage.
With the debut of ChatGPT late last year, the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) quickly captured the interest of consumers and businesses, and the travel industry is no exception. But ever since, policymakers in Washington, DC have been grappling with how AI tools should be regulated. Given the concerns about inaccurate or outdated information and recommendations, copyright issues, ethical risks and more, the use of AI in travel may soon be a focal point in such discussions.
Join Travel Tech CEO Laura Chadwick on Thursday, November 16th, 2023, at the Phocuswright Conference for a “soapbox” industry debate on “Responsible AI: Is Regulation the Answer and How Far Should it Go?”. We encourage all travel innovators to get on your “soapbox” and join us for a debate on what, if anything, the government should do to ensure the responsible use of AI in the travel sector. No matter where you are on your AI journey, this session will provide key insights and considerations amid the expanding usage of this technology in your business.
Welcomes Travel Tech Start-ups, and Small and Medium Businesses in New “Advocate” Member Tier
October 17, 2023 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the trade association representing the leading innovators in travel technology, announced its first-ever membership category expansion. The new “Advocate” member tier is aimed at startups and small and medium-sized travel technology companies. It launches with the addition of four new member companies.
“The Travel Technology Association is the organization for travel tech innovators. As we celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, we are now providing the opportunity for all companies, large and small, to join our efforts to promote the travel tech industry and empower traveler choice,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association.
In Washington, DC and state capitals, policymakers are debating policies that directly impact travel tech businesses – including resort fees, refunds, data privacy and artificial intelligence (AI) to name just a few. Travel Tech’s new Advocate category will provide key information and insights about proposed legislation and regulations through a monthly webinar and newsletter. It will also offer the opportunity for members to meet with policymakers and demonstrate their travel tech innovations.
The association’s new Advocate members are organizations revolutionizing the travel experience by creating new tools that improve the booking process for group and business travel, allow hosts to screen and reward guests, and provide hotels, airports and others a platform to design GPS-enabled self-guided tours. They include: DCX Travel & Technology, DreamGuest, Group Travel Odyssey, and UCPlaces.
“We are excited to join the Travel Technology Association as an Advocate member. As a growing travel tech company, we want to get involved in its advocacy efforts and network with other companies like us,” said Kory Vrieze, Director of Group Travel Odyssey (GTO). “This is a wonderful opportunity to promote and protect the travel tech industry.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of companies to our Advocate membership. Travel Tech’s continued growth affirms the importance of advocating for public policy that promotes an improved global marketplace and consumer experience,” Chadwick said.
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.
Spreading Awareness of the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights
In celebration of the 37th anniversary of the Air Carrier Access Act, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) and several of its member companies joined the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) #AccessibleAirTravel Campaign to raise awareness about the rights of people with disabilities to safe, dignified, and accessible air travel.
Alongside Travel Tech, member companies Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport, BCD Travel, and CWT are partnering with DOT and joining the campaign. They are among other entities, including airlines, airports, and disability organizations, that are raising public awareness.
“We are proud to partner with the Department of Transportation to build awareness about the rights passengers with disabilities have when flying,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech.
The campaign brings awareness to the Department of Transportation’s Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, which describes the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities. The Department provided a summary video to empower individuals with disabilities to understand and assert their right to accessible air travel.
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.
In its comments, Travel Tech details its members’ significant investments in robust trust and safety operations to protect the reliability of the reviews appearing on their platforms. Travel Tech expresses its support for the Commission’s efforts in the proposed rule to target those intent on committing fraud through fake or deceptive reviews.
“FTC has achieved the right balance in its proposed rule to target bad actors while preserving industry flexibility to develop innovative and effective solutions that will help to maintain consumer confidence in reviews,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO. “Travel Tech members invest significant resources in robust trust and safety operations to protect the reliability of the reviews appearing on their platforms.”
Examples of Travel Tech members’ commitments to protecting travelers from fraudulent reviews include:
Establishing and enforcing community standards;
A multi-step process for pre-screening reviews to ensure they meet community standards before reviews are made public;
Being attuned to potential fraud triggers, such as travel during large events in less traveled markets;
Imposing penalties for fraud, including de-platforming fraudsters
Working with governments to prosecute fraudsters;
Collaborating to identify and promote industry best practices;
Being transparent via review transparency reports about policies and progress enforcing those policies; and
Employing fraudulent-review detection systems and teams.
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.
U.S. House of Representative Committee considers the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (FEES) Act
On September 27, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce convened a hearing on “Proposals to Enhance Product Safety and Transparency for Americans” where H.R.___, the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (FEES) was considered. In written testimony, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech, expressed the organization’s general support for the bill.
“The No Hidden FEES Act is an excellent first step toward setting a national standard for resort fee transparency,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “The Travel Technology Association believes travelers should be able to make informed decisions without hidden surprises or unexpected expenses. We will continue to work with Congressional leaders and travel stakeholders to improve the bill.”
Travel Tech worked closely with House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce leadership on the development of the legislation to ensure uniformity and certainty for hotels, short-term rentals, online ticket agents, metasearch agents, and most of all, travelers, on what mandatory fees are included in advertised pricing for lodging.
Travel Tech supports a single, national price transparency standard. Without one, a “patchwork” of state regulations, with different regulations and potential penalties, would likely emerge. This would place a significant compliance burden on the travel technology industry.
California is likely to be the first state to adopt price transparency laws since President Biden announced his efforts to end “junk fees” in his 2023 State of the Union Address. Governor Newsom has until October 14th, 2023 to sign CA Senate Bill 478 and CA Assembly Bill 537 into law. In July 2023, Travel Tech sent a letter of opposition to the California State Assembly urging legislators to hold off on taking state action to allow the federal legislative and rulemaking processes to create a uniform standard for consumer protection and lodging price display.
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.
Travel Tech Leads Effort to Secure Federal Resort Fee Transparency Law
December 21, 2024 – Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement regarding the removal of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act (S.2498) along with other commerce-related bills from the Continuing Resolution passed by Congress late Friday night: “Travel Tech is disappointed that Congress did not include the Hotel Fees […]
