by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:05 AM ET, Wed February 19, 2025
On Tuesday, February 18, the United States Senate confirmed financier Howard Lutnick as the Secretary of Commerce, who has drawn staunch support for the current administration’s love of tariffs.
The Senate confirmed his position by a vote 51-45, split by party.
While it’s clear Lutnick’s role as Commerce Secretary will mainly be focused on Trump’s desire for increased tariffs, the Commerce Secretary also oversees various agencies and bureaus, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the International Trade Administration (ITA) and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Domestic travel industry associations who work closely with the government were quick to respond to the confirmation.
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman stated, “Howard Lutnick will bring strong leadership to the Department of Commerce as we look ahead to a decade with significant economic opportunity — from the 2025 Ryder Cup to America 250, the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games. With the right policies in place, this mega-decade of events can attract millions of new travelers and generate nearly $100 billion in economic activity for our country.”
“Secretary Lutnick’s proven business acumen and decades of leadership in the financial sector make him a strong choice for this position,” Geoff continued. “Lutnick’s confirmation hearing made clear his commitment to unlocking the full potential of travel to benefit the American economy, including creation of a large-scale global events task force, and his goal to promptly fill the Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism role at Commerce — two bold steps in the right direction for the travel industry.”
The American Hotel & Lodging Association also released a statement.
“Congratulations to Howard Lutnick on his confirmation as U.S. Commerce Secretary,” said Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO of the AHLA. “With the critical responsibility of promoting American business and industries, his leadership comes at a crucial time for the hotel and broader hospitality industry. “
“We are confident that Secretary Lutnick will champion policies that drive tourism, promote international trade, and support the ongoing recovery and growth of our industry,” Maietta continued. “These are particularly crucial as the United States hospitality industry prepares to welcome the World Cup and Olympics in the next several years. AHLA stands ready to collaborate with him and the Department of Commerce to advance initiatives that support our industry’s ability to create good-paying jobs and strengthen America’s leadership in global hospitality and tourism.”
Lutnick previously had a career as CEO of investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald.
While the statements are positive, it is clear that an ongoing or more aggressive trade war could directly harm the nation’s travel and tourism industry: besides an increase in airfare costs due to higher cost of imported gas, Trump’s Canadian tariffs would also spark a decrease in visits from Canadians, the nation’s largest international source market.
The U.S. Travel Association warned earlier this month that if the nation receives just 10 percent Canadian visitors, the nation would lose $2.1 billion in revenue and lose 14,000 jobs.
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