USTOA Chairman Jeff Roy, chief revenue officer, Collette, left, and Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), center, with fellow delegates during the Congressional Caucus (Source: USTOA)
WHY IT RATES: USTOA’s annual Congressional Caucus illustrates the association’s enduring commitment to crucial tourism issues, including National Park maintenance, U.S.-Canada travel and the protection of TSA workers from future shutdowns, while also forging product partnerships with the government.—Claudette Covey, Executive Retail Editor.
The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) escorted a group of more than fifty Active Member tour operators and Associate Members to Washington, D.C. June 2-3, 2026. The purpose of the annual Caucus is to advocate for core tourism industry issues ranging from funding for National Parks maintenance, U.S.-Canada Travel, protecting TSA workers from future shutdowns, and other urgent matters. The USTOA delegation met with more than fifty members of Congress across the day.
“As the USTOA Congressional Caucus marks its 14th year, our advocacy efforts are more critical than ever in the current climate,” said Terry Dale, USTOA President and CEO.
USTOA Chairman Jeff Roy, Chief Revenue Officer of Collette, commented, “Our goal is to build relations, advance the interests of our members and the travel industry, and lay the foundation for a better and more productive partnership with the government.”
Caucus delegates gathered at The Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC on the morning of June 3 that kicked off with welcome remarks by USTOA Chairman Jeff Roy, Chief Revenue Officer at Collette. Geoff Freeman, President & CEO of US Travel, followed and emphasized the need to build congressional champions to strengthen the US travel industry and, specifically, to fully fund Brand USA to help reverse the decline in inbound tourism, among other potential threats such as tariffs and lengthening visa and passport processing.
Carylann Assante, CEO of the Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA), spoke about the “Beyond Borders” coalition of 12 organizations, including SYTA and USTOA in the US and Canada, that have united to work together reestablish cross-border travel that is vital to both economies.
Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) addressed the group about the industry’s core issues, so vital to her home state. John Garder, Senior Director for Budget and Appropriations for National Parks Conservation Association, addressed the significant impact recent cuts in personnel have made on the visitor experience and stressed the importance of providing additional needed funds through the America the Beautiful Act for staffing, repairs, maintenance, safety, and animal well-being.
Additional speakers included Tony Krawietz, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Aviation and International Affairs at DOT, and Robert O’Leary, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism Industry & Analysis, US Department of Commerce, and Jessica Klement, ASTA’s Vice President of Advocacy.
After lunch, USTOA Members split into nine groups and walked to Capitol Hill for appointments with members of Congress and the Senate to discuss key industry challenges and policies that can be put in place to strengthen the tourism industry. Proper funding for Brand USA and reintroducing the INVEST in Our Communities Act to help local communities build resiliency to future economic uncertainties; investment in air traffic control modernization and travel infrastructure; and more were amongst the topics discussed. USTOA will continue to engage with the Administration to ensure that it remains ready to facilitate the travelling public.
“USTOA remains committed to advocating for responsible tourism across all sectors,” continued Dale. “The yearly Caucus proves to be the most effective platform to communicate these key messages to lawmakers about the tourism industry, and it shows that coming together as a unit makes a difference.”
As examples, Roy added that past successes of USTOA’s Congressional Caucus include the opening of travel to Cuba under the Obama administration; advocating for COVID relief like the Paycheck Protection Program; and collaboration with the National Parks to create an augmented CUA program that opened the parks in 2021, securing vital business during the peak of the COVID pandemic rebound.
On behalf of all USTOA members, Dale extended his appreciation to the sponsors of the USTOA Congressional Caucus for their support with a special thanks to the Museum of the Bible for hosting the meeting venue, and to the members of Congress who took the time to engage in discussions on the issues that matter most in this industry.
SOURCE: USTOA press release
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