Wednesday, April 29, 2026 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, hosted its first successful advocacy day in Albany this week, engaging directly with New York State policymakers on issues critical to the future of travel technology.
Throughout the day, Travel Tech members met with leaders from the New York State Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office to discuss the role of travel technology in the state’s economy and provide input on emerging policy proposals related to dynamic pricing, platforms, and data privacy. The meeting focused on ensuring new policies reflect how modern travel marketplaces operate and support both consumer protection and innovation.
“Our advocacy day reflects Travel Tech’s commitment to expanding member value and ensuring our voice is heard at all levels of government,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech. “We know that state policymakers have a major impact on the travel technology industry, from dynamic, all-in pricing to platform-related issues and data privacy. Direct engagement like this ensures smarter, more effective policy outcomes for our member companies and the industry at large.”
Travel Tech Association President & CEO Laura Chadwick and Dave Barmore, Head of State Policy at Travel Tech, were joined by representatives of Airbnb, Booking, Expedia, and Sabre.
Travel Tech Association President & CEO Laura Chadwick and Dave Barmore, Head of State Policy at Travel Tech join representatives from Airbnb and Expedia to meet with NY State policymakers.
“Travel technology helps power a more transparent and efficient travel experience for consumers,” said Emmett O’Keefe, Sabre’s Director of Federal & State Government Relations. “Engaging directly with policymakers ensures they understand how these tools work in practice and how to protect consumers without limiting innovation.”
Travel Tech members emphasized the importance of travel technology platforms in delivering value to both travel service suppliers and consumers. By enabling transparent price comparisons, expanding access to travel options, and supporting travelers in real time, these platforms play a critical role in a competitive and consumer-friendly marketplace.
Travel Tech will continue working with New York leaders throughout the legislative session to advance policies that support innovation, competition, and a seamless travel experience for consumers.
***
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 rtownsend@belverapartners.com.
The American Privacy Rights Act could be the first step in enacting national data privacy reform
April 17, 2024—Today, the House Committee on Energy & Commerce held a hearing on the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 (APRA), a draft bipartisan, bicameral bill that seeks to create a unified data privacy standard across the United States.
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) has advocated for a single, uniform national privacy law that will protect traveler data and privacy no matter where they live and provide businesses certainty about their responsibilities.
Following the hearing, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech said:
“A national data privacy standard will provide clarity and consistency for companies and consumers, improving compliance and leading to greater protection for travelers. Most travel companies by their very nature – from hotels to airlines to online travel agents and travel management companies – manage consumer data and could be impacted by such a law. We look forward to working with Members of Congress who are engaged in pushing forward a national standard.”
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 media@traveltech.org.
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 media@traveltech.org.
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.
###
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 media@traveltech.org.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, will honor Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) with Travel Tech’s Innovation Leadership Award at its third annual Policy & Innovation […]
