Association to Submit Comments in Response to Junk Fee Challenges in the Indirect Channel
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published its proposed Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees and is currently seeking public comment. If adopted, this wide-sweeping regulation would directly impact companies in the travel tech sector, including those that engage in the indirect sale of hotel rooms or other places of short-term lodging and/or place a surcharge on consumer transactions to cover the cost of payment processing and beyond.
To support travel tech industry members, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) has developed a free regulatory analysis to help companies understand this proposed new regulation. Travel Tech is working with its members to submit comments by the new official due date of February 7, 2024. (Interested in learning more about membership? Learn more here.)
As both federal and state authorities focus on junk fee transparency, Travel Tech has continued to advocate on behalf of the industry. Travel Tech is engaged with members of Congress in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate specifically focused on legislation on resort fee transparency. It has also published a free legislative analysis of California’s new price transparency laws that go into effect in July 2024. Travel Tech has also submitted comments in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
“Travel Tech members are committed to operating transparently. It is central to the benefits they provide to consumers,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech. “To protect competition and transparency, any regulations in this area must apply equally to all entities providing travel pricing information, both online and offline.”
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.
