Advancing Policy Priorities for Industry Supporting Ticket Agents and Traveler Choice
[Arlington, VA] [August 23, 2023] – The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, announced Sabre Corporation has rejoined the organization as a board member. Sabre Corporation is a travel technology company based in Southlake, Texas. It is the largest global distribution systems provider in North America.
“I am proud to welcome back Sabre as a Travel Tech board member,” stated Laura Chadwick, president and CEO of Travel Tech. “Given the resurgence of interest in travel post-pandemic by both consumers and policymakers alike, our advocacy on behalf of the travel technology industry has become all the more essential to empower traveler choice.”
“The Sabre team looks forward to working alongside travel tech pioneers and policymakers to promote the growth and continued success of the travel technology industry,” stated Ann Bruder, executive vice president and chief legal officer of Sabre. “Travel Tech’s education and advocacy efforts are key to ensuring public policy supports a competitive, transparent, and innovative travel marketplace.”
Global distribution systems (GDSs) are the travel industry data networks that connect service providers (airlines, hotels, cruises, car rental companies, tour companies) with travel agents. Through real-time, automated transactions, these companies help consumers book more than 60 million hotel rooms, 50% of all flights worldwide, and countless cruises, car rentals, and tours. These companies also provide IT services to airlines, airports, hotels, and other hospitality organizations.
In October 2023, Travel Tech will make a special announcement about its plan to expand its membership. More information on this and other industry insights are available by subscribing to Travel Tech’s free, weekly Passport Newsletter.
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About Travel Tech
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 Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com.
About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide range of travel companies including airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company provides retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions that help its customers operate more efficiently, drive revenue and offer personalized traveler experiences. Through its leading travel marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers with buyers from around the globe. Sabre’s technology platform manages more than $260B worth of global travel spend annually. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.
Advocating for Federal Legislation Creating Uniform National Privacy Standards
[Arlington, VA] [August 15, 2023] — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, announced it has joined the United for Privacy: End the Patchwork coalition. The purpose of the coalition is to advocate for comprehensive federal privacy legislation that creates a uniform national standard, preempts state law, and ends the privacy patchwork of various state regulations.
“Travel Tech’s members are committed to protecting the personal information of their customers. Trust and transparency are critical in the online travel marketplace, and our members strive every day to meet and surpass consumers’ expectations regarding the use of their personal information,” stated Laura Chadwick, president and CEO of Travel Tech. “However, without clarity and consistency of policy or regulation, innovation is disrupted and marketplace confusion results.”
“We look forward to working with the United for Privacy coalition to advocate for Congress to pass a national framework, consistent across all states and jurisdictions, that effectively preempts state consumer privacy and data security laws,” Chadwick continued. “A comprehensive national data privacy framework will allow businesses and consumers to transact more safely, effectively, fairly, and efficiently.”
Travel Tech joins several leading trade associations in support of the United for Privacy coalition, including the Business Roundtable, US Chamber of Commerce, Consumer Technology Association, NetChoice, and others.
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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 Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com.
With the recent debut of Apple’s Vision Pro, its new long-awaited augmented and virtual reality headset, interest in the use of immersive technologies – collectively known as “XR” — to support travelers and travel companies alike continues to grow. This cutting-edge technology has the potential to:
Enhance travel discovery by allowing consumers to experience resort accommodations and tourist attractions before they book
In this special Travel Tech webinar, learn more from Cortney Harding, a leading authority on emerging technologies and CEO of the award-winning Friends with Holograms XR creative agency. Harding introduces augmented and virtual reality, how she’s seen the technology grow and develop over the past few years and discusses the potential for XR in the travel industry.
“Ensuring our member companies have a seat at the policymaking table is core to Travel Tech’s mission as the industry’s trade association,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO. “Whether it’s at the U.S. Department of Transportation, in the halls of Congress or across the country with state and local policymakers, we make our members’ voices heard as legislation and regulations are developed.”
Like all federal advisory committees, ACPAC provides leaders at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) with access to information and advice on a broad range of issues affecting federal policies and programs. ACPAC was established by Section 411 of the 2012 FAA Reauthorization Act to “advise the Secretary in carrying out activities relating to airline customer service improvements.” Learn more about ACPAC’s past meetings and recommendations.
Membership on ACPAC is set by statute and requires an act of Congress to add a new member. Current membership is limited to a representative from four different groups: air carriers; airport operators; state or local governments with expertise in consumer protection matters; and nonprofit public interest groups with expertise in consumer protection matters.
However, one major group involved in the sale of air transportation and associated consumer protection issues – ticket agents – was inexplicably omitted when the ACPAC was established.
Adding ticket agents to ACPAC will better equip the advisory committee to address growing airline customer service issues. Online ticket agents sell approximately 50% of all airline tickets to consumers every year, putting them in the distinctive position to share a deep knowledge and understanding of refunds, ancillary fees, and cutting-edge technology.
Travel Technology Industry Advocates for Transparency, Supporting Traveler Choice
“Promoting transparency is a top priority for the Travel Technology Association and its members. It is essential that travelers make informed decisions without hidden surprises or unexpected expenses. When travelers have complete pricing details, they can accurately compare different options and make choices that align with their preferences and budget,” stated Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech.
“Public policy that supports clear and upfront information about the total cost of travel early in the planning process and across all booking and advertising channels encourages competitive pricing practices. There should be a single national standard that will create uniformity and certainty for lodging operators, travel technology companies, and most of all, travelers, who will have a better understanding of what is included in advertised prices.
“We look forward to working with Senators Klobuchar and Moran on the Hotel Fees Transparency Act to ensure travelers have the ability to accurately compare different options and make choices that best suit their preferences.”
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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 Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com.
Inclusion of Travel Technology Industry Priorities Support Travelers and Industry Members
On Thursday, July 20th, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, praised legislators for advancing H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act through the U.S. House of Representatives.
“We are also especially grateful to Rep. Dina Titus and Rep. Gus Bilirakis, chairs of the House Travel & Tourism Caucus, along with Reps. John Garamendi, Marco Molinaro, and Susan Brownley for introducing H.R. 3780, the ACPAC Modernization Act,” said Chadwick. “Due to Rep. Titus’s leadership, ticket agents are one step closer to being able to offer their unique expertise on improving airline customer service.”
H.R. 3780, the ACPAC Modernization Act, was merged into the House-passed FAA Reauthorization bill (H.R. 3935). It will add a ticket agent representative to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC).
Prior to the House vote on H.R. 3935, Travel Tech sent a letter to Congress to express its support for the legislation. Travel Tech’s letter, however, noted its opposition to the inclusion of Section 701 of the bill, which repeals the DOT’s long-standing Full Fare Advertising Rule. This rule requires that the entire price for airfare, including taxes and fees, be disclosed to consumers in the first instance following an itinerary search.
Laura Chadwick, Travel Tech’s President & CEO, argued that “Its repeal will undermine consumers’ ability to effectively comparison shop and choose the best travel option to meet their needs and budget.”
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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 Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com.
On Wednesday, July 19th, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) sent a letter to Congress to express its support for H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, in advance of the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote on the legislation later this week. H.R. 3935 will reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and related aviation programs for the next five years. It includes several key provisions sought by Travel Tech to improve airline travel for consumers and support the Travel Tech member companies that serve them.
Travel Tech’s letter, however, noted its opposition to the inclusion of Section 701 of the bill, which repeals the DOT’s long-standing Full Fare Advertising Rule. This rule requires that the entire price for airfare, including taxes and fees, be disclosed to consumers in the first instance following an itinerary search. Laura Chadwick, Travel Tech’s President & CEO, argued that, “Its repeal will undermine consumers’ ability to effectively comparison shop and choose the best travel option to meet their needs and budget.”
On Thursday, July 13th, Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association, was featured alongside John Breyault from the National Consumers League in an NBC News story about efforts to repeal the Full Fare Advertising Rule. Under the current rule, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires any advertised airfare to include the total cost to the consumer for the ticket, including all applicable government taxes/fees and any mandatory carrier-imposed surcharges. However, a provision in the House FAA Reauthorization bill would eliminate this requirement and instead allow airlines to advertise ticket prices without including government taxes and other required fees.
Chadwick and Breyault both expressed concerns over efforts to change this rule. As Chadwick stated, “You can’t comparison shop on the checkout page. It’s essential to put that information up front, the first place where consumers see the airfare.”
“Travel is expensive,” Chadwick also said. “We believe consumers should have the most information upfront so they can make effective decisions, comparison shop for the best value, and feel good about their purchases in the end.”
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 global distribution systems, online travel agencies, metasearch companies, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com.
New Staff Members Added to Lead Advocacy, Support Membership Growth
[Arlington, VA] [July 13, 2023] – The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, has hired Nicole Brewin and Bethany Reitsma to support its public policy advocacy and membership growth initiatives.
Brewin joins Travel Tech from the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), where she led its government affairs practice for over two decades. In that capacity, Brewin built RSI’s advocacy program into the organization’s largest team, secured historic investment levels for rail grants in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and created its Political Action Committee, where she tripled its annual fundraising efforts. Prior to her work at RSI, Brewin worked as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Peter Visclosky (IN-01.)
“I am so pleased to welcome Nicole to Travel Tech. Not only is she a transportation policy pro, Nicole is also an expert in working closely with trade association member companies. I look forward to working with her to expand Travel Tech’s advocacy efforts to empower traveler choice and support our growing membership.”
Bethany Reitsma is Travel Tech’s new Industry Relations Manager. Reitsma manages marketing, communications, and public policy projects and supports the association’s membership growth initiatives. Prior to joining Travel Tech in February, Reitsma worked for the XR Association as its Marketing & Membership Coordinator, where she led membership recruitment efforts, developed and executed its grassroots advocacy strategy, and co-managed member communications.
“While innovations, advancements, and change are to be expected in the world of travel technology, our Association’s commitment to promoting transparency and competition through education and advocacy remains consistent,” Chadwick said. “Travel Tech supports its members to address both policy changes and challenges. I am excited to lead Travel Tech with Nicole and Bethany by my side.”
Brewin holds a bachelor’s degree in political science & history from Marymount University. Reitsma earned her bachelor’s degree in politics & philosophy at Washington & Lee University.
About Travel Tech
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.
Travel Tech’s Brand Refresh Keeps Industry Leaders and Policymakers Informed and Engaged
[Arlington, VA] [July 12, 2023] – The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, announced today the launch of its new website. The site features a new, modernized Travel Tech logo, in-depth policy briefs on Travel Tech priority issues, and a new Policy Action Center, which provides industry members with a tool to communicate directly with their elected representatives.
“Right now, in Washington, DC and states across the country, policymakers are debating policies that directly impact the travel technology industry,” said Travel Tech CEO and President Laura Chadwick. “Travel Tech’s new website highlights the critical advocacy work we lead on topics like ancillary fees, airline refunds, price transparency, short-term rentals, customer reviews, and more. I welcome industry members to learn more at www.traveltech.org and get involved with our efforts to empower traveler choice and protect travel tech innovation.”
In addition to the site and its new features, Travel Tech is relaunching its PassportNewsletter on a weekly basis to keep industry leaders up-to-date on current and emerging policy issues facing the travel tech industry. In addition to the latest about Travel Tech and its advocacy, Passport Newsletter will offer a news digest of the top stories at the intersection of travel, technology, and public policy. To subscribe, click here: https://traveltech.org/subscribe/
Travel Tech’s new Policy Action Center features its inaugural “Action Alert” asking industry members to tell their member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 3780, the ACPAC Modernization Act, which would add “Ticket Agents” to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC). This is one of Travel Tech’s major priorities for the FAA Reauthorization, legislation that must pass Congress by September 30th.
Congresswoman Dina Titus (D, NV-01) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R, FL-12), chairs of the House Travel & Tourism Caucus, along with Rep. Marc Molinaro (R, NY-19), Rep. John Garamendi (D, CA-08), and Rep. Julia Brownley (D, CA-26), introduced H.R. 3780, the ACPAC Modernization Act on June 1st.
About Travel Tech
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers choice by advocating for public policy promoting marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including global distribution systems, online travel agencies, metasearch companies, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com.
Travel Technology Association Launches New Website, Logo, Policy Action Tools, Newsletter & More
August 21, 2024 – Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) released the following statement following the release of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) final rule prohibiting fake and deceptive reviews: “Travel Tech is pleased the FTC adopted our recommendation regarding the “knew or should have known” standard for review hosting platforms. Doing so reflects […]
