Photograph by Olga Lukyanenko for Adobe Stock
The sweeping legislation package sent to the president last week is a mixed bag for travel initiatives, according to Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
"This legislation is a giant step in the right direction when it comes to improving America’s travel infrastructure and security," said Freeman. "Bold, necessary investments in air traffic control and Customs and Border Protection will make a meaningful difference in the traveler’s experience." But, he added, the smart investments in the travel process are overshadowed by new fees that will be charged to foreign visitors and the funding reductions to Brand USA, the nation’s official destination marketing organization.
"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," he said.
Threatening international visitation
Brand USA’s federal match was reduced from up to $100 million annually to just $20 million as part of broader federal spending cuts, prompting Freeman to call on Congress to restore the funding, saying it is critical for the success of the country’s 250th anniversary and other major global events that will be hosted during President Trump’s term.
Freeman also expressed frustration with the bill's steep increases to nonimmigrant visa fees. Among the increases in the bill, the legislation imposes a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee for visitor visas and raises the Electronic System for Travel Authorization fee for travelers using the Visa Waiver Program from $21 to $40.
"Failing to fully fund Brand USA is a missed opportunity — especially as the administration seeks to maximize an 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."
Investing in modern, seamless and secure travel
A number of line items in the bill are big wins for the industry, according to Freeman:
- A down payment to modernize air-traffic control, $12.5 billion was authorized for the National Airspace System, supporting updates to air-traffic-control technology, physical infrastructure and workforce development.
- Increased customs staffing will spur international growth and reduce wait times, with $4.1 billion earmarked to hire and train at least 5,000 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, as well as $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 should strengthen border security and unlock the future expansion of the Visa Waiver Program, as $673 million would be spent expand the biometric entry-exit system at ports of entry.
- Homeland Security funding would help the travel infrastructure prepare for upcoming global events, giving $625 million to security, planning and operations related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and $1 billion for security and planning tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
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.