Tuesday, November 25, 2025 — Last week, the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade convened, “Daylight and Destinations: Examining Time, Travel and Tourism,” a hearing exploring how the U.S. could capitalize on travel and tourism as key economic drivers. Members also looked to examine various perspectives surrounding Daylight Saving Time.
Ahead of the hearing, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech)—a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry—submitted a written testimony. In line with comments from committee members, Travel Tech’s testimony outlined the nonprofit’s “strong support” for Brand USA and called for the restoration of its funding.
“Travel Tech and its members strongly support Brand USA and its critical role in promoting the United States as a destination, drawing international visitors whose spending supports jobs and local businesses nationwide,” the testimony outlined. “Its federal match was reduced from up to $100 million annually to just $20 million as part of broader federal spending cuts.”
Notably, Travel Tech took the opportunity to outline its perspective on several key policy issues relevant to the subcommittee, including the Hotel Fees Transparency Act and the inclusion of key pro-innovation provisions of H.R. 1 in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Travel Tech also highlighted efforts to support legislation that will help host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, and the endorsement of S.1218, the Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025, to prepare for the influx of visitors during those sporting events.
“As the country prepares for the 2026 World Cup and continues to strengthen its position in the global travel economy, technology platforms will play a central role in supporting consumers, local businesses, and the broader tourism sector,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “We look forward to working with the Subcommittee as it examines policies that shape the future of travel, tourism, and innovation.”
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.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 — Last week, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released a statement following the introduction of H.R. 6128, the VISIT USA Act, legislation that would authorize a one-time transfer of $160 million from the Travel Promotion Fund to Brand USA:
“Travel Tech is pleased to see legislation provide funding to Brand USA, a key tool that helps strengthen America’s global travel competitiveness at no cost to taxpayers. Brand USA plays a vital role in keeping the U.S. a premier travel destination and ensuring our nation benefits from the economic power of international visitation, especially as we prepare to host major global events like the FIFA World Cup, America250, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Thank you, Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Rep. Kathy Castor, for your leadership.”
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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.
Monday, October 27, 2025 – The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, is moderating its third annual Soapbox Industry Debate Session at the upcoming Phocuswright Conference held from November 18 – 20, 2025, in San Diego, California.
Travel Tech CEO Laura Chadwick will moderate a session on “Unifying Travel’s Digital Future,” unpacking the U.S. Department of Commerce’s efforts that are currently underway to develop its newest National Travel and Tourism Strategy, which is set to be released in 2027. Travel Tech is urging the department to address digital challenges in its next edition. The inclusion of digital challenges, like AI and fragmentation in the travel and tourism industry, would be a first for the department.
During the highly interactive session at the Phocuswright Conference, attendees will receive an overview of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy and the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan. After, attendees will break into small groups to share their thoughts on digital fragmentation issues in the travel and tourism industry and potential solutions.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, sent a letter to Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure expressing support for H.R. 5556, the Flight Refund Fairness Act, following the reintroduction of the bill by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) last month.
Travel Tech’s letter highlights how this bill would close a loophole in the current DOT Refund rule by aligning airline-to-agent reimbursement obligations with consumer refund deadlines and requiring ticket agents to complete refunds within seven days of receiving funds from airlines.
By closing this loophole, the bill ensures ticket agents aren’t placed in the financially precarious position of having to cover airline refunds without first receiving the consumers’ money from the airlines themselves.
“We thank Rep. Salazar and her bipartisan co-sponsors for introducing the Flight Refund Fairness Act,” said Brandon Palumbo, Travel Tech’s Director of Policy & Government Relations. “This bill restores accountability by aligning airline reimbursement timelines with those required of ticket agents, ensuring agents are reimbursed on a predictable schedule and refunds are processed efficiently and transparently.”
Travel Tech has issued an “Action Alert” encouraging its members and industry stakeholders to contact their Representatives to support H.R. 5556, the Flight Refund Fairness Act, through its Policy Action Center.
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, October 8, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, sent a letter to Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, urging Congress to pass H.R.5663, the ACPAC Modernization Act.
The letter highlights that the absence of ticket agents from the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC) limits the committee’s ability to provide DOT with the full range of expertise necessary to address today’s pressing consumer protection issues.
As it currently stands under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2012, ACPAC’s membership includes representation from an air carrier, an airport operator, a state or local government official, and a consumer advocate.
“Travel Tech thanks Rep. Dina Titus and Rep. Gus Bilirakis for introducing legislation that modernizes the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee by adding ticket agents — a group long excluded despite their key role in the booking and refund process,” said Brandon Palumbo, Travel Tech’s Director of Policy & Government Relations. “Through their daily interactions with travelers and airlines, our members offer a grounded perspective on how consumer protections operate in practice. Bringing their insight into DOT’s consumer advisory process ensures more informed, practical, and balanced recommendations.”
Travel Tech has issued an “Action Alert” encouraging its members and industry stakeholders to contact their Representatives to support the ACPAC Modernization Act through its Policy Action Center.
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, October 1, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry, called on policymakers to address online competition concerns following the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights hearing titled “Examining Competition in America’s Skies” held on Tuesday.
The hearing addressed structural airline competition issues and included testimony from Gregory Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Allegiant, Barry Biffle, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Airlines and other witnesses.
“While the Senate hearing examined offline competition challenges—such as gate access and fortress hubs—policymakers must also confront online competition issues,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “Our member companies ensure transparency and consumer choice by enabling travelers to compare fares, schedules, and services across airlines. But legacy carriers place restrictions on these comparisons, threatening competition and limiting options for consumers.”
Online travel platforms play a vital role in maintaining a competitive air travel marketplace. By offering side-by-side comparisons of fares, schedules, and amenities, Travel Tech members empower travelers to make informed decisions and ensure that airlines compete on price and service. However, restrictions from dominant carriers on how information is presented online undermine these benefits, reduce competitive pressure, and ultimately harm consumer choice.
As part of its ongoing educational efforts, Travel Tech released a new white paper, “The Role of Online Travel Platforms in Supporting Low-Cost Travel and How Legacy Carriers Threaten Competition and Consumer Choice,” ahead of Tuesday’s hearing. The paper details how online travel platforms play a vital role in enabling ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) to effectively compete with dominant legacy carriers—helping travelers discover lower fares, à la carte options, and new routes to smaller or underserved regions.
“ULCCs rely on online travel platforms to compete effectively. Protecting these platforms is essential to keeping the airline market competitive,” said Chadwick.
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, 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, July 30, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, announced its support for S.1218, theTransportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025. The bipartisan legislation, led by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), would provide critical federal funding to enhance transportation systems in cities set to host global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, and the Paralympic Games.
Host cities—including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle—are poised to see a significant surge in travelers. This legislation will help the host cities mitigate congestion, improve coordination, and ensure visitors and residents alike can move safely and efficiently between stadiums, hotels, and local businesses.
“Travel Tech thanks Senators Moran and Cantwell for their leadership and encourages the Senate Commerce Committee to advance S.1218,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “Preparing U.S. cities to host high-profile international events is both a logistical necessity and a strategic opportunity to enhance America’s competitiveness in the global travel and tourism economy.”
Travel Tech members – online travel agencies (OTAs), metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), Travel Management Companies, and early-stage travel technology start-ups – drive local tourism economies by connecting travelers from across the country and around the world to a wide range of lodging options, tour guides, activities, and restaurants, along with air travel and car rental choices.
Learn more about Travel Tech’s policy priorities and take action to support travelers and mega sports event host cities 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 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.
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.
Travel Tech Issues Statement on the Senate Reconciliation Package
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, recently welcomed three new start-ups to its Start-Up Membership Program: CleverFi, HousMthr and Lake.com. These start-ups are part of the newest generation of travel innovators creating products and services to enhance and streamline […]
