March 13, 2023 — This week, President Biden signed into law funding to establish the first Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism position within the U.S. Department of Commerce. This position will be dedicated to developing and coordinating a national tourism strategy for the United States.
“On behalf of members of the Travel Technology Association, we express our thanks to congressional leaders for including funding for the Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism office, and for the leadership of Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MI) in its creation,” said Travel Tech President & CEO Laura Chadwick. “Travel Tech and our member companies stand ready to support the new Assistant Secretary and its important mission.”
“We congratulate Geoff Freeman and the team at the U.S. Travel Association along with other travel stakeholders for their tireless advocacy to secure this funding,” Chadwick added.
The Assistant Secretary position was first proposed by Rep. Titus in the Visit America Act (H.R. 6965/117th) and included in Senator Rosen’s bipartisan Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act. Senator Rosen’s legislation was included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Travel Tech issued a press release praising the legislation’s passage by Congress in late 2022.
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.
