What: More Than 200 Travel Advisors Visited Capitol Hill to Address Policymakers
More than 230 American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) members — representing 47 states — headed to Capitol Hill in record numbers to speak directly to Congressional leaders about the issues that impact their businesses during ASTA's annual Legislative Day.
During the event, which took place June 22 and included 197 Congressional meetings, travel advisors met with policymakers to discuss how to develop a COVID-19 recovery strategy and pass important pieces of legislation, such as the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) Reinstatement Act (which would restore the ERTC) and the Visit America Act (which would create an Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism within the U.S. Department of Commerce). As a result of the Legislative Day, 11 bipartisan cosponsors were added to the two bills.
Next year's Legislative Day will take place June 21-22, 2023.
Why It Matters: Without Hands-On Advocacy, Travel Advisors’ Voices Will Be Lost in the Shuffle
So many travel advisors’ businesses have taken a hit over the past two years, and with full travel industry recovery still a ways away, it’s not the time for advisors to sit idly by. ASTA’s Legislative Day is just one way travel advisors can band together and reach lawmakers to raise awareness and promote change for the industry. Check out ASTA's Advocacy Portal for other ways to get involved and let your voice be heard.
Fast Facts: ASTA Represents the Needs of the Travel Advisor Community
- Formerly the American Society of Travel Agents, ASTA was rebranded in 2018 as the American Society of Travel Advisors and is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public.
- ASTA members represent 80% of all travel sold through the travel agent distribution channel.
- ASTA Legislative Day is an annual event.
What They Are Saying: Now Is Not the Time to “Put Your Head in the Sand”
“When it comes to the government, you face a choice — engage in the process or put your head in the sand, leave the field to the opposition and hope for the best,” said Zane Kerby, president and CEO of ASTA. “Starting well before COVID-19 hit, ASTA and our members have engaged tirelessly, both in D.C. and in the states, and we have a series of wins to show for it — most notably, the Biden Administration’s recent decision to rescind the inbound testing rule for international travel. By showing Congress who we are, who we employ and that we are paying attention, the government will understand that travel advisors advocate for the traveling public. Legislative Day is the most important part of that engagement.”
“Policymaking is a marathon, not a sprint,” added Eben Peck, executive vice president of advocacy for ASTA. “Our goal was to raise awareness about our industry and how COVID-19 restrictions have impacted us, and secure support from legislators for policies that will help our members’ businesses recover. Legislative Day is the most impactful thing our members can do to help make that happen.”
