Reconciliation Bill Contains Significant Wins for Travel Industry

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement after Congress’ approval of a sweeping legislative package sent to President Donald Trump for signature:

“This legislation is a giant step in the right direction when it comes to improving America’s travel infrastructure and security. Bold, necessary investments in air traffic control and Customs and Border Protection will make a meaningful difference in the traveler’s experience,” said Freeman. "The smart investments in the travel process make foolish new fees on foreign visitors and reductions to Brand USA, America’s promotion arm, that much harder to swallow. Making America the world’s most visited destination—and capitalizing on the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics—requires smarter policy and legislative changes that we are already pursuing.”  

Key Wins: Investing in modern, seamless and secure travel  

• Down payment to modernize air traffic control: $12.5 billion to modernize the National Airspace System (NAS)—supporting updates to air traffic control technology, physical infrastructure and workforce development. 
   
• Increased customs staffing to spur international growth and reduce wait times: $4.1 billion to hire and train at least 5,000 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and $2 billion in CBP retention bonuses to address ongoing staffing shortages, which will help lower wait times at airports and improve the traveler experience.
   
• Technology investments to strengthen border security and unlock future Visa Waiver Program (VWP) expansion: $673 million to expand the biometric entry-exit system at ports of entry.
   
• Homeland Security funding to prepare for upcoming global events: $625 million for security, planning and operations related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and $1 billion for security and planning tied to the 2028 LA Olympic and Paralympic Games. 
   

Despite important gains in the bill, Freeman emphasized that Congress must restore full federal funding for Brand USA, the nation’s official destination marketing organization. Brand USA’s federal match was reduced from up to $100 million annually to just $20 million as part of broader federal spending cuts. President Trump’s FY26 budget requests full funding for Brand USA, and Freeman called on Congress to meet that request, which is critical for the success of America’s 250th anniversary and other major global events hosted during President Trump’s term. 

Freeman also expressed frustration with the bill’s steep increases to non-immigrant visa fees. Among the fee increases in the bill, the legislation imposes a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee for visitor visas and raises the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee for Visa Waiver Program travelers from $21 to $40. 

“Failing to fully fund Brand USA is a missed opportunity—especially as the administration seeks to maximize a historic slate of global events on American soil,” said Freeman. “Raising fees on lawful international visitors amounts to a self-imposed tariff on one of our nation’s largest exports: international travel spending. These fees are not reinvested in improving the travel experience and do nothing but discourage visitation at a time when foreign travelers are already concerned about the welcome experience and high prices. As Congress begins work on FY26 appropriations, it must fully fund Brand USA and ensure visitor fees are lowered, if not eliminated, wherever possible.” 

The U.S. Travel Association released a report earlier this year outlining critical reforms needed to modernize our nation’s travel system. Several of the recommended investments and reforms from this report were included in the budget reconciliation bill.