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Travel Tech Provides Input to House, Senate as FAA Reauthorization Bills are Aligned

Final bill may be considered before the expiration of the FAA’s authorization extension on May 10th

March 27, 2024 – This week, Travel Tech sent letters to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure as they work to align H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act of 2023 and S. 1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 into one FAA reauthorization bill to be considered by both the House and Senate. Travel Tech’s letters highlighted its preferred changes to best support consumers as they purchase airline tickets.

“Travel Tech appreciates Congressional leaders for their hard work to get this critical legislation across the line,” said Travel Tech President & CEO, Laura Chadwick. “It is now critical that this bill is finalized in a way that gives travelers the transparency and choice they deserve.”

Travel Tech’s priorities for the final FAA Reauthorization bill include:

  1. Adding Ticket Agents to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection

Ticket Agents are the largest travel industry segment not represented on this key advisory committee. Allowing them to become members will provide valuable insights currently not reflected in the committee, helping the Department of Transportation meet its consumer protection mission.

  1. Aligning the Senate and House bills with regard to Ticket Agent refund obligations to ensure Agents’ fiscal solvency

Sec. 702 of the Senate bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a final rule to apply refund requirements to Ticket Agents in the case of canceled or significantly delayed flights. However, Ticket Agents are not in a fiscal position to provide refunds without first receiving the passengers’ funds back from the airlines. The House bill clarifies this provision and should be fully adopted.

  1. Clarify Ticket Agent responsibilities with regard to refund portal provision, and exempt metasearch engines and other Ticket Agents that provide services pursuant to a corporate or government contract

Section 702 of S. 1939 requires Ticket Agents to prominently display on their websites a link that passengers eligible for a refund may use to make a request. However, because many Online Travel Agents offer services beyond airfare comparison shopping and booking on their sites, these links will likely cause confusion among consumers seeking refunds for hotels, car rentals, or other services. Furthermore, Travel Management Companies that do not sell to the public already have specific refund obligations under their contracts. Finally, metasearch engines that direct customers to other sites have no record of which flight a customer ultimately purchased and should be similarly exempt.

  1. Allow flexibility for Ticket Agents and air carriers to design the appropriate display of ancillary fees for customers, and similarly distinguish between Agents that provide services under corporate or government contracts and those that engage with the public
  1. Remove the inclusion of Section 701 in H.R. 3935 that repeals the DOT’s Full Fare Advertising Rule.

The Full Fare Advertising Rule requires that the entire price for airfare, including taxes and fees, be disclosed to consumers in the first instance following an itinerary search. Its repeal will undermine consumers’ ability to effectively comparison shop and choose the best travel option to meet their needs and budget.


The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.

Travel Tech Applauds Funding for New U.S. Department of Commerce’s Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism

March 13, 2023 — This week, President Biden signed into law funding to establish the first Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism position within the U.S. Department of Commerce. This position will be dedicated to developing and coordinating a national tourism strategy for the United States.

“On behalf of members of the Travel Technology Association, we express our thanks to congressional leaders for including funding for the Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism office, and for the leadership of Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MI) in its creation,” said Travel Tech President & CEO Laura Chadwick. “Travel Tech and our member companies stand ready to support the new Assistant Secretary and its important mission.”

“We congratulate Geoff Freeman and the team at the U.S. Travel Association along with other travel stakeholders for their tireless advocacy to secure this funding,” Chadwick added.

The Assistant Secretary position was first proposed by Rep. Titus in the Visit America Act (H.R. 6965/117th) and included in Senator Rosen’s bipartisan Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act. Senator Rosen’s legislation was included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Travel Tech issued a press release praising the legislation’s passage by Congress in late 2022.


The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.

Travel Tech CEO Joins Global Travel Tech Launch

Laura Chadwick attends Global Travel Tech launch event at the largest travel trade show

March 6, 2024 ― This week, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech)’s President & CEO Laura Chadwick is in Berlin for the launch of a new global travel association, Global Travel Tech (GTT) at ITB Berlin. Chadwick joined a panel discussion about Global Travel Tech with Emmanuel Mounier, Global Travel Tech Secretary General, and Mark Chan, Secretariat for ATTIA.

“Global Travel Tech was established to represent the travel tech industry on the global stage. It will elevate our key priority issues – transparency, competition, and sustainability – to ensure technology empowers travelers worldwide,” said Chadwick. “I commend our shared member companies under the leadership of Emmanuel Mounier in pursuing this essential work for our industry.”

To learn more about Global Travel Tech, please visit: https://globaltraveltech.org/ and follow the organization on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-travel-tech/ 


The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.

Travel Tech Innovator Profile: DCX Travel Technology

At its core DCX Travel & Technology (DCX) is about making business travel easy, convenient, and fun.

Frustrated by the large corporate travel platforms’ lack of innovation and flexibility to solve individual customer needs, Lisa Simpkins founded DCX to be a different type of travel agency and technology platform.

Lisa wanted to meet business travelers where they were, allowing them to book flights directly from airline platforms and then leverage the power of DCX to streamline, manage, and maximize their trip. DCX is a traveler-centric platform that offers transparency and customization, using the latest technology. By leveraging technology, including AI, DCX is building a more efficient, affordable and enjoyable travel experience.

Travel Tech Celebrates Members’ Commitment to Innovation

The Association Launches Online Resource to Highlight Its New Advocate Members and Others

February 28, 2024 – Today, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) launched its “Innovate” page to highlight the contributions and efforts of its member companies working to empower traveler choice and pioneer new technologies and tools to improve the travel experience. 

The page launches with profiles featuring the association’s Advocate members, including its newest member AirHelp. As part of Travel Tech’s first-ever member expansion, the new Advocate member tier is aimed at startups and small and medium-sized travel technology companies.

“Our Advocate members are working at the cutting edge of travel technology, developing new innovations to support both consumers and travel industry partners,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “I am excited to highlight these companies and the vibrancy of our industry segment as a whole.”

In the months to come, Travel Tech will share more member profiles on its Innovate page, adding new stories about their work to innovate the travel experience through new technology and digital tools. 

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.

Innovate

Travel Tech Innovators

Travel Tech Innovator Profile: DCX Travel Technology

Lisa Simpkins | Founder

Changing Corporate Travel for the Better

Travel Tech Innovator Profile: AirHelp

Tomasz Pawliszyn | CEO

Helping Travelers Navigate the Fine Print

Travel Tech Innovator Profile: UCPlaces

Uri Sperling | Founder & CEO

Crafting a Customized User Journey for Tours

Travel Tech Innovator Profile: Group Travel Odyssey

Kory Vrieze | Director

Creating a Seamless Group Travel Experience

Learn More About Membership

Bethany Reitsma

Industry Relations Manager

Travel Technology Association to Host Policy & Innovation Showcase on Capitol Hill

Travel Tech will celebrate its 25th anniversary with event on Capitol Hill

February 27, 2024 — In recognition of its 25th anniversary, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) has announced its first-ever Policy & Innovation Showcase event on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.

This widely-attended event will be held in the Rayburn House Office Building foyer, overlooking the U.S. Capitol, during National Travel & Tourism Week. Policymakers, their staff, and members of the media will have the opportunity to interact with Travel Tech member companies and learn about their work to make the travel experience more transparent, competitive, and innovative for consumers. 

The Showcase will feature remarks by Travel Tech President & CEO Laura Chadwick, who will present two awards to members of Congress selected by the Travel Tech Board of Directors. These awards will mark the achievements of these policymakers to empower traveler choice and champion travel innovation.

“Twenty-five years ago, our industry pioneers knew public policy supporting transparency, competition, and innovation would be essential to innovating the travel sector,” said Chadwick. “These same issues are as relevant today as they were back then. We look forward to celebrating both our history and our future at our Policy & Innovation Showcase.” 

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.

Policy & Innovation Showcase 2024

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

5:00 – 7:30 pm
Rayburn Foyer, Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC

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Travel Tech Innovator Profile: AirHelp

We’ve all been there ― your flight’s canceled or delayed, your bag is lost, and you’re left trying to salvage your trip. Often, the last thing on your mind in situations like this is submitting a claim to ensure you’re properly compensated by the airline. Applying for flight compensation can be time-consuming and complex, varying by airline and geography.

Navigating this process can be stressful, and many passengers throw up their arms in defeat.

That’s where AirHelp comes in. AirHelp is the world’s largest tech company that helps passengers navigate through flight disruptions. They do the leg work for passengers and take the hassle out of applying for compensation. Since launching in 2013, AirHelp has served more than 2.2 million passengers worldwide.

AirHelp goes beyond just helping passengers navigate the current patchwork of rules and regulations around flight compensation. They understand the need for proactive advocacy and sound public policy and regulation to ensure the best travel experience possible. That’s why they’ve joined the Travel Tech Association (Travel Tech).

“By joining Travel Tech, we’ll be able to increase awareness of traveler rights and raise the voice of travelers with policymakers and regulators in the United States,” said Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO for AirHelp.