Pro-Innovation Public Policy Priorities Archives

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, the Transportation 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.

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 media@traveltech.org.

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.”

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.

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.”

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 — Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released a statement on the Senate Finance Committee’s legislative text as part of the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill.

“Travel Tech applauds the Senate Finance Committee for including key provisions in its latest draft of the reconciliation bill that support innovation and small business growth. Making full expensing for domestic research and development (R&D) permanent, restoring 100% bonus depreciation, and enhancing Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) benefits will help drive greater innovation, investment, and competitiveness within the travel technology sector.”

“We want to thank Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and members of the Senate Finance Committee for their leadership and continued support for small businesses and competition. These provisions send a clear signal that digital entrepreneurs and innovators remain a policy priority on both sides of the aisle.”

These provisions align with Travel Tech’s pro-innovation priorities. Travel Tech has been a vocal advocate of permanent R&D investments and the extension of bonus depreciation. Travel Tech recently sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee in support of such provisions.

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To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Travel Tech calls on Senate Finance Committee and travel tech industry members to take action.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee today urging it to make permanent the full and immediate expensing of R&D investments and bonus depreciation in its budget reconciliation bill. The Senate Finance Committee will soon consider this legislation in order to meet its self-imposed July 4^th full Senate passage deadline.

The House-passed reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extended R&D expensing and bonus depreciation for only five years. However, the permanence of these provisions is essential. Without permanence, travel tech companies, both large and small, will face difficulties in planning multi-year investments in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These innovations are transforming customer expectations and market dynamics in the travel industry.

“Permanent R&D expensing and bonus depreciation tax provisions directly enhance the ability of travel technology platforms to deploy new features faster, improve system performance, and compete in the global travel marketplace driven by speed, scale, and service reliability,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO of Travel Tech. “These permanent tax provisions are essential to support innovation in the travel technology industry as it develops and deploys new AI-based tools.”

Federal R&D expensing allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of qualified research and development activities from their taxable income in the year the expenses are incurred. This accelerates tax savings, improves cash flow, and encourages innovation by reducing the after-tax cost of developing new products, technologies, or processes.

Bonus depreciation is a tax incentive that allows businesses to immediately deduct a large percentage of the cost of qualifying capital investments, like equipment, machinery, or certain software, in the year the asset is placed in service, rather than spreading the deduction over several years.

Travel Tech previously issued an “Action Alert” encouraging its members and industry stakeholders to contact their Senators to support permanent R&D tax expensing and bonus depreciation through its Policy Action Center. Travel Tech has pre-drafted a letter on these issues for industry members to easily send to their representatives directly from its Policy Action Center.

Learn more about Travel Tech’s policy priorities and take action to support Permanent R&D Expensing by visiting Travel Tech’s Policy Action Center.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Thursday, May 15, 2025 — Today, Brandon Palumbo, Director of Policy & Government Relations at the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement:

“Travel Tech welcomes the House’s progress on key tax provisions supporting small and mid-sized businesses in the travel technology industry. Making the Section 199A pass-through deduction permanent and restoring 100% bonus depreciation are important steps that will help our members, especially startups and SMBs, reinvest, grow, and create jobs.”

“While the temporary suspension of amortization for domestic R&D expenses through 2029 is a meaningful step, we continue to support permanent full R&D expensing to ensure that U.S. innovators can remain globally competitive. Travel Tech also encourages Congress to consider permanent bonus depreciation, which would give companies the long-term certainty they need to plan investments and scale their operations.”

“We appreciate congressional leadership’s recognition of the policy tools that enable small businesses to thrive and remain committed to working with both chambers to promote a competitive, innovation-friendly tax environment for the travel technology sector.”

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, will spotlight the newest generation of travel tech startups—from game-changing AI-powered trip planners to social travel platforms—at its second annual Policy & Innovation Showcase on May 7th on Capitol Hill.

Attendees will hear from industry experts, interact with Travel Tech member companies, and learn about the Association’s work to make travel more transparent, competitive, and innovative for consumers. This year, Travel Tech is excited to feature numerous travel technology start-ups, including BLCK, Group Travel Odyssey, InterLnkd, Legaroo, Levee, Mobi, NaviSavi Inc., Nowy, Runway Health, Inc., SevenlyTravel, Solutionz Group LLC, SparrowBid, Tern, Travogram and Walkntours.

“Travel Tech is committed to championing innovation, and a key part of that mission is supporting the next generation of travel technology startups as they grow and scale,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “We’re proud to spotlight these trailblazers and provide a platform to share their groundbreaking work.”

The Showcase will also feature two panel discussions, including a panel on the unique challenges facing travel tech start-ups titled “Navigating the Unique Needs of Travel Tech Startups.” The panel will focus on the hurdles that start-ups face in scaling and growing their business, from accessing capital to navigating the complex tax and regulatory landscapes. Panelists include Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp; Branda Fan, Founder and CEO of Nowy; and Cara Whitehill, Vice President at Thayer Investment Partners, with Brandon Palumbo, Director of Policy and Government Relations of Travel Tech as moderator.

Legislation would allow for immediate R&D expensing by travel tech companies, large and small

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association announced its support for H.R. 1990, the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025, which was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Ron Estes (R-KS) and John Larson (D-CT). This bipartisan bill aims to restore the immediate deductibility of research and experimental expenditures, encouraging innovation and bolstering the U.S. economy.

“The travel tech industry consists of large and small innovators. The restoration of the immediate deductibility of research and development costs will directly support their efforts to improve the travel experience,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO of the Travel Technology Association.

Prior to 2022, businesses could fully deduct R&D expenses in the year they were incurred. However, changes implemented by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 require these expenses to be amortized over five years, increasing the after-tax cost of R&D and potentially discouraging investment in innovation. H.R. 1990 seeks to reverse this change, allowing for immediate expensing of R&D costs and supporting companies in investing more heavily in research and development.

Travel Tech has issued an “Action Alert” and is asking industry members to send their own letter of support to their members of Congress 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 media@traveltech.org.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (“Travel Tech”) announced its pro-innovation public policy priorities to support the growth and success of travel tech start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). As the travel technology industry’s voice in Washington, DC, Travel Tech will advocate for the passage of legislation that allows travel tech start-ups and SMBs to retain more of their earnings, have greater access to capital, and compete in the A.I. marketplace.

Laura Chadwick, Travel Tech’s president & CEO, stated, “With the inauguration of President Trump earlier this week and the start of a new Congress, Travel Tech is well-positioned to deliver public policy results that directly help the newest generation of travel tech innovators thrive.”

Travel Tech has recently announced an expansion of its Advocate membership benefits focused on start-ups and SMBs. It now provides access to practical business advice programming and opportunities to build community with other leaders and get involved with the association’s advocacy efforts, and more. Next week, Travel Tech’s monthly Advocate Member Meet-Up will feature Matt Zito, Managing Partner at TSi for programming on the “Top New Year Resolutions for Travel Tech Start-Ups.” Travel tech companies are invited to participate in this meeting for free: Register Here.

Travel Tech’s Pro-Innovation Public Policy Priorities 
to Support Travel Tech Start-Ups and SMBs 

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Travel Tech Encourages Balanced Approach to Pricing Technology Policy in Virginia Senate Bill 615

February 03, 2026

The legislation was recently considered by the Virginia State Senate. Tuesday, February 3, 2026 — Last week, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the trade association promoting and protecting the travel tech industry, shared its perspective on Virginia Senate Bill 615 and its potential effects on the travel marketplace. The organization said it opposed the […]