Sens. Moran, Cantwell Introduce Legislation to Boost Tourism Between United States, Mexico & Canada

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) - members of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus - recently introduced the USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act to bolster the U.S. tourism and travel industry by supporting collaboration between the United States and Canada and Mexico, America's two largest trading partners.

"Travel and tourism are essential to America's economy, supporting millions of jobs and connecting communities in Kansas and across the country," said Sen. Moran. "As Co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, I look forward to working with USTR to make certain USMCA supports efforts to bolster cross-border travel, reduce unnecessary travel barriers and strengthen the U.S. travel economy."

"Travel and tourism are vital not only to Nevada's economy, but to the economy of the United States as a whole," said Sen. Cortez Masto. "As we've seen over the past year, tariffs, trade, and international cooperation play a large role in either promoting or deterring international travel. As partners in this historic trade agreement, it's critical that we do what we can to invite Canada and Mexico to support the American travel industry."

"Travel is America's top services export and a critical engine for jobs and economic growth in every state," said Erik Hansen, Senior Vice President, Head of Government Relations, U.S. Travel Association. "As the United States faces a decline in international visitation, this bipartisan legislation would ensure travel and tourism are prioritized in the upcoming USMCA joint review. Creating a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group will deepen cooperation with Canada and Mexico, strengthen North America's competitiveness, expand travel exports, and support the millions of American workers and businesses that rely on travel. U.S. Travel Association applauds Senators Cortez Masto and Moran for their leadership in introducing this legislation and urges swift action to help keep the United States the world's top destination."

The USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act would require that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) advocate for the establishment of a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group as part of the upcoming Joint Review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USMCA, which took effect in 2020, established joint working groups for other industries, but tourism and travel are not currently represented.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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