US Capitol

In terms of getting favorable legislation passed through Congress, 2010 was a pretty good year for the travel industry.

The main accomplishment was getting the Travel Promotion Act signed into law and the subsequent establishment of the Corporation for Travel Promotion.

But 2011 looks a lot more difficult, mainly because many of the items on the agenda this year pit the industry against public opinion, national security and local & state authorities.

Funding for the Corporation for Travel Promotion: The CTP hasn’t actually done any promotion as yet, but its future is already in doubt because Congress has started taking back the money.

The Zadroga Health Care Bill for 9/11 First Responders (H.R.847 – approved by the US House of Reps. on Dec 22, 2010) is funded by the $10 TPA fee on travelers from visa waiver countries.

From 2015-2021, the fee will go for 9/11 responder health care instead of funding the CTP. The travel industry’s challenge now is to get the funding back without making it seem like they’re opposed to health care for 9/11 first responders.

The US Travel Association sent out a missive that says “While U.S. Travel does not oppose the underlying health care bill for 9/11 first responders, we do oppose diverting the $10 TPA fee to pay for the 9/11 Health Care bill because it creates a significant problem for TPA and the future of the new Corporation for Travel Promotion.”

The CTP’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan 6, 2011 in Southlake, TX and the agenda will no doubt be modified to include a discussion on how to solve this problem. The currently listed agenda includes updates on the CTP website and other implementation issues which may need help from the Commerce department, such as non-profit status for the CTP.

TSA Reform: The USTA wants Congress to set up a trusted traveler program that would provide alternative screening measures for American citizens. To make their point, the USTA has a survey which shows that 8 out 10 respondents wanted such a program. The USTA now says that if the hassles were reduced, travelers would take more trips which would add $84.6 billion in travel spending and support 888,000 additional jobs.

NEXTGEN: Air Traffic Control Modernization has been on the agenda for a long time, but there’s been a lot of movement forward in 2010. Most recently, on Dec 15 2010, the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC) presented 23 specific recommendations to DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.

The recommendations include improving links between airports and other forms of transportation, ensuring that aircraft operators are able to realize the benefits of NextGen as quickly as possible, and reducing aviation’s impact on the environment through improving efficiency by implementing NEXTGEN quickly, use of sustainable fuels and improved aircraft technology.

But the funding still has to come from Congress. Instead of passing the FAA reauthorization bill, Congress pushed the issue to March 2011 with a three month extension. The incoming House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) has stated that the bill will be one of his first priorities.

Transportation: This bill is in pretty much the same boat as FAA reauthorization, with Rep. John Mica saying that he’ll take up a long-term transportation bill in the spring. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has a detailed brief on what needs to be done in 2011.

Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act: Lifting the Cuba travel ban is one area where 2010 actually saw all hopes dashed. The bill (HR 874) is stuck in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and there doesn’t look to be any chance for this one to be even brought up for discussion in 2011, unless there is some new development in Cuba.

Internet Travel Tax Fairness Act: This is a very delicate dance for the travel industry, because no one wants to take sides here. This bill is an attempt to resolve the hotel occupancy tax fight between OTAs and destinations. The bill was being lobbied for earlier in 2010 by the Interactive Travel Services Association (ITSA) on behalf of the OTAs, with the AH&LA lobbying against it on behalf of the hotel industry.

At this stage, this bill doesn’t look likely to come up in 2011, unless there is some decisive movement one way or the other in the many lawsuits that have been filed by various destinations.

Photo – cliff1066