U.S. Needs to Expedite Modernization in Travel, Assertions Former Head of Gaming Trade Union
Modernizing US Travel: A Call for Action
The United States remains the world's premier travel destination, yet international visitation has yet to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. In an op-ed for The Washington Times, Geoff Freeman, the president and CEO of the US Travel Association, has called for modernizing transportation infrastructure and systems to boost tourism and leisure travel.
Freeman's call to action is backed by the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, a bipartisan group of former government officials and private sector travel experts. The commission has proposed several key reforms to transform the US travel experience, focusing on security efficiency and traveler convenience.
One of the commission's recommendations is to end the diversion of the Passenger Security Fee and increase funding for advanced security technology. This would allow travelers to carry larger liquids in carry-ons, keep electronics and IDs in bags, and keep shoes, jackets, and belts on during screening within five years.
Another recommendation is to create the world's most advanced and secure airport screening process through historic investment in security technology. This would facilitate faster, less intrusive passenger screening while enhancing security.
The commission also suggests expanding the TSA One Stop Security (OSS) program by seeking long-term reauthorization and establishing at least five formal international agreements within five years. OSS enables travelers screened abroad to bypass redundant checks upon arrival in the US, reducing connection times and improving operational efficiency.
Additionally, the commission recommends increasing US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing at airports, ending long customs wait times by using biometrics and advanced vetting. The commission also aims to complete biometric air exit within two years to reduce immigration overstays.
Improving visa processing is another key recommendation. This includes providing full consular staffing, extending visa validity for vetted lawful visitors, creating a National Vetting Service for quick visa processing, and establishing a “Secure Travel Partnership” to increase countries with strong travel security agreements.
These recommendations come as the US prepares to host major international events such as the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Reclaiming global travel leadership, strengthening the economy, and making American travel the best in the world are national priorities, according to Freeman.
In Las Vegas, a crucial market for the US gaming industry, visitor numbers have seen a decline. Harry Reid International Airport reported a 4% decrease in arriving and departing passengers through May, and Las Vegas has seen a 6.5% year-over-year decline in visitors through April.
The US Travel Association, a leading advocate for the $1.3 trillion US travel and hospitality industry, with casino gaming being a major component, is at the forefront of this call for action. Several major casino operators are members of the US Travel Association, including Caesars Entertainment, Delaware North, Hard Rock, MGM Resorts, and The Venetian Resort.
President Donald Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and the current leadership in Congress are in a position to invest in the future of travel. The time for action is now, according to Freeman, as reclaiming America's global travel leadership is essential.
Note: The use of biometric technologies like facial recognition is a subject of ongoing policy debate, with proposals to require traveler opt-in to protect privacy.
References: [1] US Travel Association, Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel (2022). [2] Transportation Security Administration, TSA One Stop Security (OSS) (2022). [3] US Travel Association, Modernizing Travel: A Vision for the Future of American Travel (2022). [4] US Government Accountability Office, Facial Recognition Technology: GAO-22-107670 (2022). [5] Transportation Security Administration, Shoe Scanning (2022).
- Geoff Freeman, president of the US Travel Association, has urged modernizing transportation infrastructure to boost tourism, as international visitation is yet to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic's impact.
- The Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, a bipartisan group, supports Freeman's call and proposes key reforms to transform the US travel experience.
- One recommendation is to end the diversion of the Passenger Security Fee, increasing funding for advanced security technology, allowing travelers to carry larger liquids and keep electronics in bags by 2027.
- Another proposal is to create a world-class airport screening process through investing in advanced security technology, facilitating faster and less intrusive passenger screening while enhancing security.
- The commission suggests expanding the TSA One Stop Security (OSS) program, seeking long-term reauthorization, and establishing international agreements within five years to improve operational efficiency.
- The commission also recommends increasing US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing, ending long customs wait times with biometrics and advanced vetting, and completing biometric air exit within two years.
- Improving visa processing is another key recommendation, including providing full consular staffing, extending visa validity, and creating a National Vetting Service for quick visa processing.
- The US is set to host major international events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, reclaiming global travel leadership, strengthening the economy, and making American travel the best in the world being national priorities.
- In Las Vegas, a crucial market for the US gaming industry, visitor numbers have dropped, with Harry Reid International Airport reporting a 4% decrease in passengers and Las Vegas seeing a 6.5% year-over-year decline in visitors.
- President Trump, Transportation Secretary Duffy, and Congress are in a position to invest in the future of travel, as the American Gaming Association, US Travel Association, and major casino operators like Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts support Freeman's call for action.
