Bipartisan U.S. Bill Would Stress Travel & Tourism Importance in USMCA Review
by Bruce Parkinson
A new U.s. bill would raise the profile of travel and tourism in trade talks.
Two U.S. Senators – one Republic and one Democratic – are working to pass a bill that aims to boost tourism between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act to ensure that the United States is working with Canada and Mexico, America’s two largest trading partners, to support travel and tourism.
The USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act would require the U.S. Trade Representative to advocate for the establishment of a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group as part of the upcoming Joint Review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USMCA, which entered into force in 2020, established joint working groups for other industries, but tourism and travel are not currently represented.
U.S. travel and tourism exports were worth $1.3 trillion in 2024 and supported more than 15 million American jobs. However, according to the New York Times, 4.5 million fewer international visits were expected in 2025 compared with 2024, which includes a 26% drop in Canadian visitors.
“Travel and tourism are vital not only to Nevada’s economy, but to the economy of the United States as a whole,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “As we’ve seen over the past year, tariffs, trade, and international cooperation play a large role in either promoting or deterring international travel. As partners in this historic trade agreement, it’s critical that we do what we can to invite Canada and Mexico to support the American travel industry.”
“Travel and tourism are essential to America’s economy, supporting millions of jobs and connecting communities in Kansas and across the country,” said Senator Moran. “As co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, I look forward to working with USTR to make certain USMCA supports efforts to bolster cross-border travel, reduce unnecessary travel barriers and strengthen the U.S. travel economy.”
“Travel is America’s top services export and a critical engine for jobs and economic growth in every state. As the United States faces a decline in international visitation, this bipartisan legislation would ensure travel and tourism are prioritized in the upcoming USMCA joint review,” said Erik Hansen, SVP, Head of Government Relations, U.S. Travel Association.
Hansen says creating a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group will deepen cooperation with Canada and Mexico, strengthen North America’s competitiveness, expand travel exports, and support the millions of American workers and businesses that rely on travel.
