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
Support an extension of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions that allow travel tech start-ups and SMBs to retain more of their earnings, which can then be reinvested into companies’ expansion, product development, hiring, or other key initiatives.
In 2025, President Trump and congressional leaders plan to use the reconciliation process to extend many parts of the TCJA. Travel Tech supports the following provisions:
- Qualified Business Income Deduction: Allows pass-through entities to deduct up to 20% of taxable income.
- Bonus Depreciation: Enables immediate expensing of capital investments, allowing startups to reinvest quickly.
- R&D Expensing: Permits the immediate deductibility of R&D expenses, replacing current law requiring a 5-year amortization
Advocate for legislation that expands travel tech innovators’ access to capital, simplifies federal programs, and protects key pathways for startup and SMB growth, such as:
- Expanding Investor Access: Reduce barriers to funding and create new opportunities to secure essential resources for growth.
- Federal Support: Simplify and modernize the federal grant and loan programs to make them more accessible to startups.
- M&A Pathways: Protecting mergers and acquisitions as viable exit strategies is critical for fostering innovation and market competition.
Urge the adoption of policies that empower travel tech startups to innovate, compete, and thrive in the A.I. marketplace.
- One national standard: Avoid a patchwork of state laws regulating the use of A.I., which will only hinder.
- Pro-Competition Policies: A.I. regulations must be balanced, mitigating risks while supporting innovation and fair competition.
- Innovation Safeguards: Preserve IP frameworks and liability protections to foster A.I. R&D and reduce legal barriers.
###
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.
