Advocacy News
The Latest News on Tourism Advocacy
December 2024
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December 18, 2024: Lame Duck Congress Update: The 118th Congress has only days left to act on the federal budget, including disaster relief funding. A short-term funding bill is needed by December 20 to avoid a partial government shutdown. Read more
November 2024
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November 2024: Election Wrap-Up. What's Next?
Election Day 2024 has come and gone. Let’s take a quick peek at the federal results and how these results may foreshadow upcoming policy priorities. Also, let’s ensure we are educating our elected officials, including the Freshman Members, on the value of tourism in communities and for the economy. Election Day 2024 has come and gone. Whether your preferred candidate(s) have won or not, now is the time to make sure we develop and build constituent relationships with policymakers. Read more…
Haiku, AI and the EXPLORE Act
During a recent experimentation with a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to help with advocacy, I asked the system to create a haiku about the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which is currently pending in Congress. Read more…
Share Your Advocacy Successes
STS wants to know how you and your organization’s advocacy efforts have impacted tourism policy. Whether at the federal, state, or local level, please tell us your story so we can share it with others! Advocacy success strategies and stories should be shared, so others with similar goals can replicate or adapt them. Tell us how you and your organization were able to achieve an advocacy win that has advanced your tourism mission and goals. Fill out this quick form.
October 2024
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October 2024: Government Shutdown Averted:
Congress returned to Washington, D.C. in mid-September for a brief session. Congress passed a twelve-week funding extension just days before the September 30 end of the federal fiscal year. With a government shutdown avoided, the Members went home to campaign. Congress is scheduled to return on November 12, a week after Election Day. The stopgap bill includes a December 20 deadline for completion of the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations, although this deadline could be extended if an agreement is not reached.
Election Day is Only Weeks Away:
The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) urges you to exercise your right to participate in the electoral process. Learn about the issues and candidates. Then cast your vote. Although Election Day is November 5, you may opt to vote early or by mail-in ballot. At CanIVote.org, you can get answers to any questions you might have regarding your right to vote. This information has been compiled by the National Association of Secretaries of State, a nonpartisan organization comprised of the top election officials in each state.
September 2024
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September 2024: Advocacy Reignited at 2024 Connections
The energy and enthusiasm at Southeast Tourism Society’s (STS) 2024 Connections in Auburn, Alabama earlier this month was contagious! And advocacy was front and center with multiple opportunities to learn, share, and network. Read more
Vice Presidential Candidates to Debate on October 1
JD Vance and Tim Walz will face off in a CBS-hosted debate on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. While the start time has not yet been announced, this New York-based event will be moderated by "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan.
Check Out This Travel & Tourism Resource from the USDOT
The 2024 National Travel & Tourism Infrastructure Strategic Plan (NTTISP), issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), is now available here. This report updates the original, congressionally mandated 2021 NTTISP. Kudos to Tami Reist (Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association) for sharing this!
August 2024
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August 2024: Congress Adjourns for August; Tourism Budgets Remain Unresolved
Federal Fiscal Year 2024 ends on September 30, and Congress is unlikely to finalize next year’s budget until after the November election. Right now, both chambers of Congress are on recess until September 9. Expect these elected officials to spend September ironing out the details of a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will extend current fiscal year funding for a defined period past Election Day, thereby avoiding a government shutdown. While the House has passed five of the twelve budget bills, the Senate has yet to take a Floor vote on any of its budget legislation. We have posted a status report of the bills along with a link to each piece of legislation. Read more
Get Out the Vote!
It’s no secret that the November 5, 2024 General Election Day is an important date for our nation, states, and local areas. At the Federal Level, the U.S. Presidency as well as all 435 House and 33 (of 100) Senate seats are up for a vote in the November General Election. Additionally, voters in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and scores of county and municipal governments will be selecting elected state and local officials as well as deciding ballot initiatives.
The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) urges you to exercise your right to participate in the electoral process, by registering to vote, learning about the issues and candidates, and then casting your vote. Here is some information that may help! Read more
July 2024
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Congress’ Summer is Focused on the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget: The federal fiscal year ends on September 30, and Congress is at work on the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations bill. While each chamber is allocating expenditures consistent with the spending caps adopted in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (the legislation pertaining to the debt ceiling agreement), the House and Senate are taking vastly different approaches. For nondefense spending, the House is setting funding levels approximately six percent lower than in FY 2024, with some cuts reaching 10 - 11 percent. The Senate will likely include about $20 billion more in nondefense spending than was in the FY 2024 budget. Read More…
June 2024
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June 2024 Ocmulgee Legislation Filed to Establish Georgia’s First National Park and Preserve: The Southeast Tourism Society is thrilled to report that congressional legislation has been filed to establish Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve in Georgia. This legislation was one of several bills discussed at a May 15, 2024, hearing in the U.S. Senate. Read More…
May 2024
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5/16/2024 National Issues, Local Impact: Local Government Responses to 5 Election-Year Issues Read More…
5/15/2024 FAA Reauthorization Headed to President’s Desk: On May 15, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 387-26 to pass the Senate-amended version of the must-pass Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization legislation (H.R. 3935). The bill is now headed to President Biden, who is expected to sign it. Just a day before the FAA’s May 10 funding authority expired, Congress voted to extend this authority until May 17, 2024 (HR 2829), thus providing a week to resolve final details in this five year reauthorization legislation. Read More…
5/14/2024 EXPLORE Act Passes House: The U.S House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (H.R. 6492), which awaits action in the Senate. Known as the EXPLORE Act, this bill has been championed by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR-4).
The EXPLORE Act improves recreation opportunities on and facilitates greater access to Federal public lands. Highlights include:
Improved access to land and water activities for all users, including veterans, military members, and people with disabilities;
New and improved features for long-distance biking trails, rock climbing safety, and campgrounds;
Broadband connectivity at recreational sites;
Streamlined and flexible permitting for outfitters and guides and in picnic areas; and
Online and digital access to park passes and other modernization and partnership opportunities.
March 2024
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3/19/2024 Funding Passed for Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism
The passage of the bill providing funding for the Assistant Secretary of Travel & Tourism is big news for our industry. Read the article…
January 2023
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1/9/2023 STS was able to get a number of its policy priorities over the finish line in the final days of the 117th Congress. Read the round-up of tourism legislative successes. READ THE 117th Congress Round-UP
March 2022
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3/15/2022 President Biden signed into law a $1.5 trillion omnibus appropriations bill that fully funds Federal Government projects and activities through September 30, 2022. READ HOW IT BREAKS DOWN
Archived Advocacy Articles
September 2020
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9/17/2020 Luzerne County offering virus relief funding to tourist attractions, on The Dallas Post.com READ THE ARTICLE
August 2020
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8/13/2020 Travel and Tourism getting the economy rolling again, on White County News.net READ THE ARTICLE
8/8/2020 Niagara Falls hopes to salvage part of COVID-crunched tourist season, on WGRZ READ THE ARTICLE
July 2020
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7/27/2020 Passage of Great American Outdoors Act a “big win” for region, in the Winchester Star READ THE ARTICLE
7/2/2020 STS Advocacy Update
7/2/2020 Tourism Recovery Funding
7/2/2020 How lawmakers plan to spend Mississippi’s $1.25 billion in coronavirus aid READ THE ARTICLE
June 2020
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6/25/2020 STS Advocacy Update READ THE LETTER
6/22/2020 Tourism Centers Say They Were Left Out of Financial Relief Funding from Congress READ THE ARTICLE
6/14/2020 Protecting America’s National Treasures, in Times Record READ THE ARTICLE
6/12/2020 Tourism Group Asks Janet Mills for $800M in Federal Coronavirus Funds, in Bangor Daily News READ THE ARTICLE
6/12/2020 Committee Leaders Unveil the INVEST in America Act, a Transformational Surface Transportation Bill to Bring Nation’s Infrastructure into a New Era READ THE PRESS RELEASE
6/10/2020 Restoring Our National Parks READ THE PRESS RELEASE
6/7/2020 Tourism will be key to driving economic recovery, Y’all Politics READ THE ARTICLE
6/3/2020 An investment in recovery, The State Journal (Frankfort, KY) READ THE ARTICLE
6/2/2020 Hamilton County To Assist With Tourism Marketing After Huge Losses Due to COVID-19, Cincinnati Public Radio READ THE ARTICLE
May 2020
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5/29/2020 Tourism is a wise investment in recovery, In The Winchester Sun READ THE ARTICLE
5/29/2020 Targeted aid to tourism will help restart local and state economies, In Lexington Herald Leader READ THE ARTICLE
5/28/2020 Katrina was disastrous for restaurants. The pandemic will be apocalyptic. by Donald Link READ THE ARTICLE
5/26/2020 Virginia Beach ad campaign to attract summer tourists. READ THE ARTICLE
5/19/2020 County approves $2 million to bring tourists back because of Coronavirus impacts, St. Augustine Record READ THE ARTICLE
5/19/2020 City to loan $150,000 to buoy Convention and Visitors Bureau, Grand Forks Herald READ THE ARTICLE
5/11/2020 Legislature Should Bow to Reality and Help Promote In-State Tourism, In The Advocate READ THE ARTICLE
5/1/2020 Republican Senator: Yes, Congress should send money to state and local governments. by Bill Cassidy on The Washington Post READ MORE
April 2020
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4/27/2020 The Small Business Relief Program is Still Broken by Aaron Klein on Politico READ MORE
4/25/2020 Florida’s No-Rules Vibe Gets a Coronavirus Reality Check by Craig Pittman on Politico READ MORE
4/16/2020 National Park Service Announces $14 Million in Grants to Preserve African American Civil Rights READ MORE
March 2020
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3/23/2020 Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Legislative Scorecard and Full Report
3/23/2020 Georgia Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus Legislative Lowdown
3/18/2020 Kentucky Travel Industry Association Legislative Alert READ
3/13/2020 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report Week 10 March 9 - 12 (Days 43 - 46)
3/10/2020 US Travel Coronavirus Update
3/10/2020 GACVB Legislative Lowdown
3/8/2020 Visit Florida Funded 2020 - 2021 READ ARTICLE by A.G. Gancarski
3/7/2020 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report Week 9 March 2 - 6 (Days 38 - 42)
3/7/2020 Still the happiest place on earth - even as coronavirus hits Florida READ ARTICLE by Brittany Shammas
3/7/2020 National Park Visitation Tops 327 Million in 2019 READ ARTICLE
3/6/2020 Capitol Concierge This Week in Legislative Session
3/3/2020 Florida Politics | Editorial: Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 should end the war on VISIT FLORIDA READ ARTICLE by Peter Schorsch
3/3/2020 Atlanta International Airport Update re: Coronavirus COVID-19 READ UPDATE
3/3/2020 Updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) CORONAVIRUS UPDATE PAGE
February 2020
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2/28/2020 KTIA Provides Conditional Support to Restaurant Tax Bill (HB470) READ UPDATE
2/28/2020 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report, Week 8 February 24 - 28 (Days 33-37)
2/25/2020 Tampa Bay Times: Florida Considers Two Bills to Prevent Local Control Over Airbnb READ ARTICLE by Jim Turner
2/24/2020 WCTV: Leon County (FL) Considers DeFunding Council on Culture & Arts, Moving Operations In-House
READ ARTICLE by MonicaCasey
2/24/2020 New Orleans Council Members Call for Study to Direct Tourism Spending, READ ARTICLE by Jeff Adelson
2/21/2020 GACVB Legislative Lowdown
2/21/2020 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report, Week 7 February 18 - 21 (Days 29-32)
2/21/2020 Capitol Concierge: This Week in Legislative Session
2/14/2020 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report, Week 6 February 10 - 14 (Days 24-28)
2/14/2020 Capitol Concierge: This Week in Legislative Session
2/14/2020 GACVB Legislative Lowdown
2/11/2020 Gov. Hutchinson tells tourism group goals met with Buffalo River
READ ARTICLE by Steve Brawner
2/7/2020 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report, Week 5 February 3 - 7 (Days 19-23)
2/7/2020 Florida Legislative Update/Capitol Concierge with Samantha Padgett, General Counsel for FRLA WATCH THE VIDEO
2/4/2020 Amtrak to Span the Coast after Mobile votes to allow rail service READ THE ARTICLE by Lindsay Knowles
January 2020
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1/31/2020 GACVB Legislative Lowdown
1/31/2020 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report, Week 4 January 27 - 31 (Days 14-18)
1/31/2020 Mobile (Alabama) City Council Delays Vote to Commit Funding for Gulf Coast Rail This is a big deal for several states and communities READ THE ARTICLE
1/30/2020 This week, House Democrats and Republicans released their respective principles for long-term infrastructure reforms.
READ THE ARTICLE
1/29/2020 Five Ways to Shift Your Advocacy Focus to the State and Local Level
READ THE ARTICLE by Jewelyn Cosgrove
1/24/20 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report, Week 3 January 21 - 24 (Days 10-13)
1/23/20 Louisiana Travel Association - Legislative Alert
1/20/20 Funding Cuts Led to CVB Partnership READ THE ARTICLE
1/16/20 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report, Week 2 January 13 - 16, 2020 (Days 5-9)
1/13/20 Sante Fe Alive and well In age of Airbnb READ THE ARTICLE
1/10/20 Kentucky General Assembly Weekly Report, Week 1 January 7 - 10, 2020 (Days 1-4)
December 2019
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12/17/19 Florida Senate President Defends Need for State Tourism Marketing READ THE ARTICLE
12/13/19 Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) Planning Commission Considers Changes to Short-Term Lodging READ THE ARTICLE
12/13/19 Escambia County (Florida) to Consider Raising Hotel Bed Tax Next Year READ THE ARTICLE
12/2/19 Study Examines Impact, Growth of the Shoals Music Industry - a great example of how research informs and strengthens tourism priorties with local officials
READ THE ARTICLE By Will Robinson-Smith on December 1, 2029
November 2019
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11/6/19 Smart Advocacy Includes Engaging the Public
READ THE ARTICLE By Danielle Ledbetter on November 6, 2019
11/5/2019 Airbnb Agrees to Provide Host Records to Hawaii’s Department of Taxation
READ THE ARTICLE By Audrey McAvoy and The Associated Press on November 5, 2019
11/5/2019 Lee County Commissioner's approve $12.5 million for tourism advertising
READ THE ARTICLE By Allyssa Dickert on November 5, 2019
11/1/19 Mexico’s Baja Sur resorts to start charging tourist tax READ THE ARTICLE
October 2019
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10/29/19 Airbnb doesn’t have to pay tourism tax in Florida, judge says. That’s the host’s job.
READ THE ARTICLE By Ryan Callihan on October 29, 2019
10/27/19 Washington County, Maryland working to amend zone law to address short-term rentals
READ THE ARTICLE By Julie E. Greene jgreene@herald-mail.com
10/23/19 Orange County, Florida increases bed tax support for Visit Orlando, sports marketing, and arts.
READ THE ARTICLE By Scott Powers on October 23, 2019
10/15/19 Interior Department Supported $315 Billion in Economic Activity and 1.8 Million Jobs in FY 2018. READ THE ARTICLE
10/9/19 The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial: Quit playing politics with Visit Florida. READ THE ARTICLE