ASTA Advocacy

“One Voice for Travel agents”

ASTA works tirelessly on behalf of our members throughout the country, monitoring legislative proposals, protecting travel agents’ interests in the halls of Congress, and organizing grassroots support on agents’ behalf within state legislatures.

Success on the advocacy front only happens when members like you become involved and committed to our legislative efforts. Your voice does make a difference – and we need your support!

Please click on one of the links below for more information in areas of interest to you.

New ASTA Resources

• ASTA to Minnesota Senate Finance Committee re: Tourism Relief Funding — April 15, 2021
  I write on behalf of the 517 members of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) in the State of Minnesota and the almost 3,500 Minnesotans who work at travel agencies in the state to express our strong support for Senator Carrie Ruud’s (R-10) proposal to create a Resort and Tourism Economic Relief Program as part of Senate Bill (S.F. 2387)...
  
  
• ASTA Comments on Department of Labor Proposal re: Withdrawal of Independent Contractor Rule — April 14, 2021
  The NPRM would withdraw the final rule titled “Independent Contractor Status under the Fair Labor Standards Act” (the “Rule”) which was published on January 7, 2021 and is scheduled to become effective on May 7, 2021...
  
  
• Advocacy Toolkit — April 9, 2021
  How big is the travel agency industry in your state? How much has ASTA saved travel agencies? What is ASTAPAC? These resources answer those questions.
  
  
• ASTA Letter to Jeffrey Zients WH COVID Response Team — April 7, 2021
  On behalf of the 14,000 members of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), and more than 160,000 travel advisor professionals, I write today to respectfully request clarification on the status...
  
  
• ASTA Letter to National Conference of State Legislatures re: American Rescue Plan Funds — March 29, 2021
  As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the governmental response to it, the average travel agency’s business income was down 82 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019...
  
  
• ASTA Letter of opposition to Texas HB 2889 (Hotel Occupancy Tax) — March 25, 2021
  As a result of COVID-19 and the governmental response to it, the travel agency business has come to an almost complete halt and has remained there since March 2020. According to ASTA member surveys...