Laura Chadwick attends Global Travel Tech launch event at the largest travel trade show
March 6, 2024 ― This week, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech)’s President & CEO Laura Chadwick is in Berlin for the launch of a new global travel association, Global Travel Tech (GTT) at ITB Berlin. Chadwick joined a panel discussion about Global Travel Tech with Emmanuel Mounier, Global Travel Tech Secretary General, and Mark Chan, Secretariat for ATTIA.
“Global Travel Tech was established to represent the travel tech industry on the global stage. It will elevate our key priority issues – transparency, competition, and sustainability – to ensure technology empowers travelers worldwide,” said Chadwick. “I commend our shared member companies under the leadership of Emmanuel Mounier in pursuing this essential work for our industry.”
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.
Travel Tech President & CEO Presented at the Travel Trends AI Summit
Thursday, February 22, 2024 — 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, presented at the Travel Trends AI Summit. This virtual event brought together travel industry leaders, technology experts, executives, and entrepreneurs to discuss how AI technology will impact the travel industry in 2024. Travel Tech participated in this timely event alongside leaders from Microsoft, Forbes, Deloitte, TripAdvisor, Phocuswright, and others.
Travel Tech President & CEO Laura Chadwick joined a fireside chat titled, “The Impact of AI Regulation – A DC Perspective.” Her remarks centered on federal policymakers’ work to address concerns related to the use of AI, and what impact they may have on businesses in the travel sector.
“Congressional interest about the use of AI is at an all-time high,” Chadwick said. “It is essential for the travel technology industry to be part of efforts to educate policymakers about the benefits of this technology to improve the travel experience and streamline operations. At the same, we must demonstrate the responsible use of it.”
Chadwick detailed several initiatives the association has underway on AI in 2024, including convening its members to develop industry principles and resources on the topic.
Additionally, Travel Tech hosted a virtual booth at the summit to promote the association and its membership, particularly its new “Advocate” member tier. To learn more about membership opportunities, click here.
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.
Inclusion of Travel Technology Industry Priorities Supports Consumers & Ticket Agents
On Thursday, February 8th, 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 the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee for advancing S.1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023.
“We thank the leaders of the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee for their efforts on the FAA Reauthorization,” stated Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “The legislation includes key priorities of the Travel Technology Association, provisions that will support consumers and the Travel Tech member companies that serve them for years to come.”
S.1939 provides flexibility for Ticket Agents and air carriers alike in the presentation of ancillary fee information to consumers. It also includes a provision that protects ticket agents from liability when air carriers fail to provide accurate ancillary fee information. Following adoption of an amendment proposed by Senator Jackie Rosen (D-NV), S.1939 now also includes language to add a ticket agent representative to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC).
“Travel Tech will continue to advocate for its priorities that not yet included in the House and/or Senate FAA reauthorization bills, such as affirming the U.S. Department of Transportation’s current policy on refund timing for ticket agents and continuing to recognize the distinction between corporate travel agents and other types of ticket agents,” said Chadwick.
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.
Comments Advocate for Intermediaries and Liability Protections When Travel Suppliers Fail to Provide Accurate Mandatory Fee Information
February 8, 2024 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) filed comments on the FTC’s Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees NPRM. Travel Tech expressed support for the Commission’s continued efforts to enhance competition and pricing transparency for consumers but advocated that revisions be made about who should be held liable when inaccurate mandatory fee information is provided by travel service providers, including hotels.
Travel Tech provided detailed information in its comments about the indirect distribution channel, where millions of price points are transmitted from hotels and other travel service providers to Travel Tech member companies and other intermediaries. This complex process is critical to enabling the price and quality comparison tools consumers rely on.
“Travel Tech is committed to enhancing the consumer travel experience through transparency and competition,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “However, the FTC’s proposed rule assumes that hotels will pass along its mandatory fee information – charges only they know and possess – but this is not always the case.”
Travel Tech strongly urged the Commission to revise its proposed rule to make clear that Intermediaries are not liable when Travel Service Providers fail to provide accurate, complete, and timely mandatory fee information as long as Intermediaries make reasonable efforts to receive such information.
Six years ago, Congress passed a law that held that intermediaries cannot be found liable when air carriers operating in the United States fail to provide information or data is required for intermediaries to comply with a rule about customer service information (FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-254 § 427, 132 Stat. 3340.). In addition, thirty-nine states have similar laws in place when sellers provide inaccurate sales tax information to marketplaces. In its comments, Travel Tech argued that the FTC should apply similar standards in its final rule.
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.
Association Puts Forth Recommendations to the Senate That Reflect Ticket Agents’ Role in the Travel Marketplace
February 8, 2024 – The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) submitted a letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation concerning S. 1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023. The letter provides recommendations for the committee to consider ahead of the bill’s markup, including:
Sec. 701: Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection. Travel Tech supports Senator Rosen’s amendment incorporated into the Manager’s Amendment that adds Ticket Agents to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection. Currently, Ticket Agents are the largest travel industry segment not represented on this key advisory committee.
Sec. 703: Refunds. Ticket Agents should only be required to provide a refund when such ticket agent possesses, or have access to, the funds of a Passenger. Travel Tech asks that the Senate amend S.1939 by replacing the current language with the House-passed provision.
Refund portal. Many Ticket Agents offer services beyond airfare comparison shopping and booking on their sites. Requiring them to place a refund link exclusively for airline refunds at the top of their public internet website, as the legislation currently does, will likely cause confusion among consumers seeking refunds for hotel, car rental, or tour operators. The Committee should amend this provision to achieve its intended goals.
Disclosure of Ancillary Fees. Travel Tech strongly supports Sec. 705 as it provides Ticket Agents and air carriers flexibility in the design of appropriate displays of ancillary fees. Travel Tech also strongly supports that an additional provision should be added to Sec. 705 to continue to recognize the distinction between ticket agents that provide services pursuant to a corporate or government contract and other types of ticket agents.
“We urge the Committee to adopt our recommendations to support travelers and the Travel Tech member companies that serve them,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of 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 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.
February 5, 2024 — Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024). The bill restores critical pro-growth tax provisions that underscore the economic future for American workers and companies, alike.
By restoring the tax credit to its previous state, travel technology companies can immediately deduct the cost of their U.S.-based research and development investments, which will help enhance American innovation and incentivize job-creating investments for the travel industry and beyond.
In the days and weeks leading up to the vote on the bill, the Travel Tech Association (Travel Tech) worked to garner support. Prior to the markup, Travel Tech and 260 other associations sent a letter to the House and Senate leadership underscoring the importance of the bill.
“Travel Tech members and the other undersigned organizations, represent hundreds of thousands of businesses who employ tens of millions of Americans,” said Laura Chadwick, CEO of Travel Tech. “We’re pleased to see the House move forward with the bill and hope it can be supported by the Senate.”
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, January 31, 2024 — House and Senate Leadership recently announced a bipartisan deal to revive expired tax credits for research and development, among other provisions. The Travel Technology Association has endorsed the bill, H.R. 7024 Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. Many travel tech industry members have utilized the R&D tax credits to develop new innovations to further empower traveler choice.
According to news reports, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on this legislation this week or next, with the Senate soon to follow. Tell your Members of Congress to support this bill by sending a letter through Travel Tech’s 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 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 Urges Congress to End the State Privacy Patchwork
As part of its advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) announced a continued focus area for 2024: supporting a comprehensive national data privacy framework. To showcase its commitment to data privacy, particularly during National Data Privacy Week, Travel Tech published a new issue brief on the importance of a national data framework.
Since 2018, 185 comprehensive privacy bills have been considered across 46 states and 13 states have enacted comprehensive privacy bills. The lack of federal leadership on the issue has created a conflicting patchwork of privacy laws that confuse consumers and harm American businesses.
“A national framework is essential to protecting the privacy of consumers in the travel industry,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech. “The current patchwork of state laws wastes resources on complicated compliance efforts and compromises privacy protections for the residents and tourists.”
The new webpage outlines Travel Tech’s key principles for federal privacy legislation. These include:
Consistent Terminology for Global Clarity: A new federal privacy law should align definitions and terminology with established international frameworks. Diverse terminology across global privacy frameworks creates confusion, especially for companies operating internationally.
Flexible Purposes for Responsible Data Use: Congress should avoid a rigid list of permitted data uses that would hinder innovation and adaptability for businesses. Support flexible “legitimate interest” provisions as the primary legal basis for processing, allowing businesses to adapt to evolving needs while respecting individual privacy.
Free Flow of Data for Global Efficiency: Congress should avoid data localization restrictions in any new federal privacy law. The promotion of a framework that facilitates the free flow of personal data while upholding robust data protection principles will help balance individual privacy with global economic growth and promote responsible data practices.
In August 2023, Travel Tech joined the United for Privacy: End the Patchwork coalition 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.
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.
Major Activity Anticipated by Congress, Regulatory Agencies, and State Legislatures in 2024
January 10, 2024 — With Members of Congress returning to Capitol Hill this week, Travel Tech released a briefing on the state of play for public policy impacting the travel industry. As interest in travel continues to rebound with consumers and policymakers, the association is keyed into ongoing legislative and regulatory fights on behalf of travel tech companies.
Advocating for One National Mandatory Fee Price Transparency Law and Enforcement Fairness for Travel Tech Companies
Policymakers on both the federal and state levels continue to pursue efforts to hold hotels accountable when they withhold information about their mandatory fees from travelers. Travel Tech supports a single, national standard and a common-sense provision to account for situations when hotels fail to provide accurate and complete information to price comparison sites.
Anticipating Final Rules on Refunds and Ancillary Fee Transparency by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in February and March
According to the federal government’s Unified Regulatory Agenda, the DOT will issue its final rules onAirline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections in February and Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees in March of this year. Travel Tech filed comprehensive comments on both proposed rules, as each will majorly impact the travel technology industry.
Securing Travel Tech’s Priorities in the Long-Term Reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by Congress
The second extension of the FAA expires on Friday, March 8, 2024. The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will likely soon schedule a markup of S. 1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023. In July 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. Both pieces of legislation include major Travel Tech priorities, and the association continues to advocate actively for provisions included in S.1939.
Travel Tech supports S.2033, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) to address the vast inequities resulting from extremely large search platforms, like Google, abusing their dominant position and undermining competition.
Both state and federal policymakers are 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. Travel Tech will engage with policymakers on the responsible use of AI in the travel sector.
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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.
On Wednesday, December 6th, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce considered H.R. 6543, the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (FEES) Act. In advance of the markup, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) submitted a letter to the Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The committee passed the legislation in a vote of 44-0.
The No Hidden FEES Act will require – for the first time ever in federal law – consumers to be shown the total price for a hotel room (including rate and all mandatory fees). Under this legislation, the total price must be “transparent to and easily understood by the consumer.”
Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech stated, “The No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays Act is an important first step to bring much-needed transparency to consumers from hotels to rein in their troubling resort fee practices.”
Travel Tech supports provisions in the bill that will set a single, national standard for the transparency of mandatory fees assessed by hotels. It will create uniformity and certainty for hotels, short-term rentals, online ticket agents, metasearch agents, and others, and most of all, travelers – no matter where they reside in the U.S. – about what is included in advertised pricing for lodging.
“Despite the benefits of this legislation, H.R. 6543, however, lacks a common-sense provision to account for when hotels fail to provide accurate and complete information to price comparison sites,” Chadwick added.
Thirty-nine states have laws in place to protect against situations when inaccurate sales tax information is conveyed from the seller to the marketplace and onto the consumer. These state laws rightly hold the seller – in this case, hotels – responsible in such instances and not the marketplaces like those of Travel Tech member companies. Travel Tech simply seeks the same fair consideration on the federal level regarding mandatory fee information.
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.
Travel Tech Submits Letter on No Hidden FEES Act Ahead of Full Committee Mark-Up
December 18, 2024 – Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement in response to the issuance of the Federal Trade Commission’s final Junk Fee rule and the inclusion of S.2498, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act in the Continuing Resolution to be passed by Congress by the end […]
