News & Commentary

"We applaud the U.S. Senate for confirming Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, a position that is central to welcoming millions of global travelers to the United States every year. Through his leadership as a senator from Florida, Secretary Rubio understands the economic and diplomatic impact of a robust travel industry."

“Expanding the Visa Waiver Program with the addition of Romania is a welcome step toward building back our share of global travel. The VWP enhances national security with greater information sharing between governments while facilitating increased travel for millions of potential visitors."

“Lawmakers arrived at the right decision to pass a bill that provides both certainty for critical federal travel operations and disaster relief for hurricane-devastated communities across the southeast. Let’s hope that how we got here isn’t a precursor for all of the important decisions ahead.”

"A prolonged government shutdown threatens holiday travel disruptions that Americans won’t tolerate," said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO, U.S. Travel Association. "It’s hard to see how anyone in Congress wins if they force TSA workers, air traffic controllers, and other essential employees to work without pay during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.”

The U.S. Travel Association joined Rep. Andy Harris, the Maryland Tourism Coalition, Visit Harford, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County and local leaders for a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour at the Economic Development Office in Cambridge, Maryland on Monday, December 16. The discussion focused on travel’s essential contributions to the region’s businesses, workforce and economy.

More than 100 destination leaders and small business operators across seven states affected by recent disasters banded together in a letter to Congressional leadership, urging lawmakers to pass immediate disaster relief.