The U.S. Travel Association has expressed its support for the recently passed bipartisan funding bill, which ensures the continuity of critical federal travel operations and provides disaster relief for communities affected by hurricanes in the southeastern United States. The bill, agreed upon by lawmakers over the weekend, also prevents a government shutdown, extending federal funding until March.

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman praised the decision, stating, “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.”

The association had previously warned of the severe economic consequences of a government shutdown, estimating potential losses of $1 billion per week to the U.S. travel economy. During previous holiday season shutdowns, the U.S. economy reportedly lost $11 billion.

In a related statement, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) acknowledged the bipartisan efforts to avert a shutdown but expressed disappointment over the absence of provisions to enhance transparency around lodging fees. AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta remarked, “AHLA appreciates lawmakers coming together to avert a government shutdown, which would have caused significant travel disruptions this holiday season. We are disappointed, however, that the lodging fee transparency provisions AHLA has championed were not included in the end-of-year congressional spending deal.”

Maietta added that AHLA remains committed to working with lawmakers to establish a nationwide standard for fee-inclusive lodging display rules, which would benefit consumers, hoteliers, and the broader travel industry.

The U.S. Travel Association plays a pivotal role in promoting travel to the United States, akin to the functions of tourism ministries in other countries. With the funding bill now in place, the association continues to focus on advocating for policies that support the growth and resilience of the travel and tourism sector.