Tuesday, January 7, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and advocate for public policy that promotes transparency, competition, and innovation, filed comments in response to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) joint request for information (RFI) on Competition in Air Transportation.
In its comments, Travel Tech details how the services its members and other intermediaries provide are essential to promoting airline price competition to benefit consumers. It also discusses current airline practices and policies about what pricing information can or cannot be conveyed to intermediaries, undermining price transparency. Travel Tech calls on the DOT and DOJ to address practices in the industry that result in a distorted marketplace.
“Ensuring transparency and competition in the travel industry is essential for empowering consumer choice and maintaining a fair marketplace,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech. “Travel Tech encourages DOT and DOJ to maintain and enhance measures that support transparency across all sales channels to ensure consumers have access to full information about fare options and services.”
Travel Tech’s comments also address the impact of airline consolidation over the last two decades, which has resulted in far fewer airline choices in smaller cities. With no alternatives, the single airline is free to charge consumers more for the price of a ticket on a specific route while also negating the need for price comparison tools.
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, October 22, 2024 —The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry advocating for public policy that empowers consumer choice through marketplace transparency and competition, has hired Brandon Palumbo as its new Director of Policy and Government Relations. In this role, Palumbo will support the association’s work with the federal government.
Palumbo joins Travel Tech from Michael Best Strategies, where he worked on government relations, policy research and legislative affairs. Prior to his work at Michael Best Strategies, he served as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and previously for U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA).
“I am pleased to welcome Brandon to the Travel Tech Association,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “Brandon will bring a depth of experience, passion for policy expertise, and understanding of tech policy issues impacting traveler choice to the role.”
“I’m excited to join Travel Tech to support its mission of empowering traveler choice,” said Brandon Palumbo. “I’m looking forward to applying my eight years of experience on and off Capitol Hill to support both policymakers and Travel Tech’s members.”
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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.
Grassroots and PAC influence expert Amy Showalter shares insights with Industry Members
On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) hosted grassroots advocacy expert Amy Showalter to explain how travel tech industry members can reach policymakers and advocate for public policies to support their companies and the industry as a whole.
As discussed in the webinar, all companies – both large and small – can champion priorities and support Travel Tech’s efforts to ensure legislation and policies support our industry.
Below are the top five key takeaways from Showalter’s presentation:
1. Industry Expertise Matters.
Policymakers want and need to hear from experts who have information earned through on-the-ground experience. Travel tech industry members know their business better than elected officials and should use that knowledge to their advantage.
“There is a need for people like travel tech industry members doing the hard work, knowing what it is like to live these regulations and legislation on a day-to-day basis,” said Showalter. “The need for you to communicate the reality of that to legislators is important so they, number one, understand it and number two, can eventually support you.”
2. No Interaction Leads to No Change.
Legislators can’t take into account your company’s point of view of pending public policies unless you – or your trade association – are interacting with them. To legislators, “no news” means “good news”; they will assume everything is working well in the travel tech industry. If you don’t engage with policymakers, there won’t be any movement on the issues the industry is collectively championing.
3. Meet Policymakers Before the Problems Begin.
Lawmakers are reactive by nature, and who they see is who they remember. If there is a serious problem, you don’t want that to be the first time they’re interacting with you and the organization you represent. It’s important to proactively develop relationships with lawmakers and their staff.
“Provide consistently reliable information,” said Showalter when discussing the most effective lobbying activities that shape congressional members’ and staff decisions. “You don’t always have to say what they want to hear, but back it up with evidence and data. Be consistent. Be reliable. Be somebody they can count on.”
4. Tell a Compelling Story.
Humans understand stories, and there are scientific reasons that stories resonate. When advocating for your business in front of policymakers, think about your story.
“Is there a personal angle to this legislation that you can communicate? Lawmakers remember and want good stories,” Showalter said.
5. Get Involved with Your Trade Association
Companies are the travel tech industry’s best advocates, and the Travel Technology Association supports its member companies’ engagement with policymakers. Travel Tech’s new Advocate membership has several benefits, including education, public policy intelligence sharing, newsletter access, and the ability to promote company services and products in front of policymakers, including an upcoming Capitol Hill event in May.
For more information or questions about member benefits, visit our Join Us page.
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.
How to be an Advocate: Five Tips to Support Your Travel Tech Company in Washington, DC and Beyond
As part of Travel Tech’s expanded Advocate membership program, Zito will offer practical business advice and resources to help travel tech start-ups succeed Wednesday, January 8, 2024 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) announced a new partnership with Matt Zito, Managing Partner at TSi, to provide practical business advice and resources to travel tech […]
