ASTA Comes Out Against New Maryland Bill

A new bill born out of a Maryland tragedy is mobilizing the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).

The bill, colloquially named the “Don’t You Worry (Wurie) Act,” was drafted following the deaths of a Bowie, Maryland, couple during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The couple died due to extreme heat while on a tour organized and operated by an unlicensed tour company.

The couple was two of hundreds to die during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. After the tragedy, the family said that the two paid roughly $23,000 for the tour, which lacked the proper certifications and failed to provide promised transportation and food.

In the wake of this tragedy, Maryland lawmakers sought to establish oversight for the industry, regulating not only tour operators, but also travel agencies and other travel-related businesses. The primary goal of the legislation is to protect consumers by requiring these entities to register with the state, pay a $300 annual fee, and provide proof of professional liability insurance.

On Tuesday, ASTA argued that lawmakers are using a “blunt instrument” that unfairly penalizes the wrong people and urged the Governor to veto the bill. ASTA said that paying a fee and maintaining insurance does not guarantee consumer safety or professional competency.

It also warns that while “bad actors” could simply pay the fee to appear legitimate, honest small businesses—which make up the vast majority of the industry—will struggle with the increased costs.

ASTA’s primary concern is that the bill fails to distinguish between travel advisors and tour operators. They argue that treating these two distinct roles the same way is a mistake, especially since the incident that sparked the legislation involved an unlicensed tour operator rather than a travel advisor.

There are also concerns regarding the bill’s reach beyond state lines. Under the current language, an agent based in Virginia or any other state would be required to meet all Maryland registration, fee, and insurance requirements even if they have only a single client residing in Maryland.

“This bill would impose new costs and compliance burdens on legitimate small businesses in Maryland and across the country without creating a meaningful enforcement mechanism or restitution fund for harmed travelers,” said ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby. “We stand ready to assist the Maryland legislature and the Governor in crafting educational certification standards for sellers of travel.”

The bill is currently on Governor Wes Moore’s desk; if signed into law, it would go into effect on October 1, 2026.