Government Affairs

As the leading advocate for the travel industry, ASTA’s Government Affairs department represents the rights of travel agents and the traveling public on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. One of the most beneficial aspects of an ASTA membership is the lobbying effort on behalf of its members and using One Voice to advance the cause of the entire industry.

ASTA encourages all members to participate in the political process and help send clear, concise messages to Capitol Hill and state legislatures. With new communications technology, ASTA will easily connect members with lawmakers regarding important issues affecting the travel agent community while encouraging involvement in the legislative process.

The American Society of Travel Agents’ Political Action Committee (ASTAPAC) represents the collective voice of the Society’s travel agent membership before the United States Congress and the White House and has educated elected officials about travel agent issues and helped counterbalance opposing positions. ASTAPAC pools together individual financial contributions from members and are dispersed to those candidates whose views are consistent with ASTA on issues vital to the travel agent and tourism industry.

Upcoming Legislative Items 2009 Government Regulations that Travel Agents MUST know. Paul Ruden, Senior Vice President of Legal & Industry Affairs, and Colin Tooze, Vicie President of Government Affiars review the Secure Flight and Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) programs and find out how these programs will impact you and your customers. Learn about the new Secure Flight data you will be required to solicit from customers in 2009. This seminar also will review the new online pre-authorization program for Visa Waiver Program visitors, called ESTA, that becomes mandatory on Jan. 12, 2009. Sign up for this webinar while there is still space.   Quick Poll   Have you contacted one of your elected officials this past year regarding an issue of concern?   Yes No     indicates a required field

Recent Press Releases ASTA Calls on New Administration to Lift Cuba Travel Ban Requests that President-Elect Obama Support Americans’ Freedom to Travel — December 9, 2008 ASTA Asks Obama Transition Team to Make Expanded Small Business Lending an Early Priority in 2009 — November 21, 2008 ASTA Calls on SBA to Provide Direct Loans to Small Businesses — November 18, 2008 ASTA Supports Bush Plan to Open Airways for Holiday Travel — November 18, 2008 ASTA Says Tarmac Delay Task Force Report Offers Meaningful Step in the Right Direction — November 12, 2008

New Documents

• ASTA Congratulates Congress on Passage of Financial Markets Rescue Bill — October 13, 2008
  In response to the House of Representatives’ vote to pass the Senate-passed version of H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, ASTA released the following statement
  
  
• ASTA Plays Active Role in Florida Sellers of Travel Law Victory — October 2, 2008
  ASTA claims victory in its efforts to block recent amendments to the Florida Sellers of Travel Law, as a federal judge in Miami today ruled...
  
  
• ASTA Praises Senate Passage of Financial Markets Rescue Bill — October 2, 2008
  In response to the Senate's vote to pass H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, ASTA released the following statement