Urgent Policy Alert: Protect International Travel

A critical shift in U.S. Customs and Border Protection policy is moving toward final approval and could impact travelers from key feeder markets, including Europe, Japan, and Australia as early as Summer 2026. The proposal would require travelers to disclose detailed family information and five years of social media history, raising concerns about automated rejections, potential removal from the Visa Waiver Program, and an estimated $12.5 billion decline in travel revenue.

As leaders of local tourism economies, your voice carries significant weight in Washington. To help protect international inbound travel, please consider the following actions:

1. Direct Outreach: Contact your Congressional representatives to highlight how these CBP requirements directly undermine local tourism ROI and jobs.
2. Brief Your Board: Ensure your board members understand that the 2026 international numbers are not just a marketing challenge, but a regulatory one. Here is our letter to congress, created with the NYSTIA Advocacy Committee and a template by U.S. Travel, sent in February, for reference.