ASTA Tackling The Busiest Advocacy Season Ever

With a new administration in Washington and key regulatory and legislative issues at the fore, ASTA’s members and government affairs team have never been busier advocating for the travel industry.

“In the first six months, we’ve seen more stuff that could have a damaging impact on the travel agent and travel industry than perhaps any six-month period in my five years here,” said Eben Peck, ASTA’s senior vice president for government and public affairs.

“It’s really a perfect storm. We have a change-over in the administration, an unpredictable landscape, a lot coming down the pipeline like the laptop and travel bans.”

ASTA and its travel industry partners have participated in a flurry of activity around the White House and Capitol Hill, as administration agencies have floated regular trial balloons – including the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to restrict travel to the United States, and prohibit large electronics items onboard aircraft.

Peck and ASTA have been leaning heavily on the travel agent community, and especially ASTA’s advisory committees, for input into formal responses to any major announcements.

“We vetted the electronics ban through several committees; we use the expertise of our members to refine our responses, proposals and counter proposals,” Peck said. “They are the ones dealing with travelers day in and day out, and there is no one better to help shape policies and rules.”

Travel agents are aware of the risks coming out of Congress and the White House, and are committed to lobbying for industry issues. ASTA’s June Capitol Summit had over 100 attendees, and the political action committee raised about $160,000 so far this year, and likely will exceed the $200,000 it raised in 2016. So far, the industry’s voice appears to be making a difference.

“Everyone’s worst fears haven’t been borne out by measures like the travel ban. Outbound and inbound traveler numbers have been steady. Agents are booking more business,” Peck noted.

“This has been a great period of change. It’s critical that agents have representation in Washington.”