Wednesday, November 20, 2024 — Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and advocate for public policy that promotes transparency, competition, and innovation, moderated the second annual Soapbox Industry Debate at the Phocuswright Conference in Phoenix, AZ.
This year’s debate focused on the impact of the recent U.S. election on the travel tech industry. Travel Tech President & CEO Laura Chadwick was joined by representatives from Travel Tech member companies, including Lara Tennyson, Head of US Federal Affairs at Booking Holdings; Emmett O’Keefe, Director of Federal & State Government Relations at Sabre; and Jason Scism, Founder and CEO of DreamGuest.
Panelists and audience members discussed what a Trump presidency and Republican-controlled Congress could mean for several critical policy issues impacting the travel tech industry, including AI regulation on the federal and state levels, price transparency laws, prospects for national data privacy laws, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recently-issued Ancillary and Refund rules, greater support for start-ups, and more.
“With the 2024 election behind us, we’ve seen a shift of the political landscape in Washington,” said Laura Chadwick. “As the second Trump Administration and Republican-controlled Congress prepare to get underway, travel technology companies should be optimistic about the industry’s future.”
Relatedly, Phocuswire recently published an op-ed by Laura Chadwick about the reasons why the travel technology industry should be optimistic about Donald Trump’s presidential reelection and Republicans’ full control of Congress.
“I am encouraged by President Trump’s promise to ‘unleash the full potential of American industry and American innovation,’” Chadwick writes. “As an industry consisting entirely of innovators, both small and large, we have an excellent opportunity to shape and benefit from the Trump Administration’s pro-innovation policies.”
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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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
