April 1-2, 2025
The Maryland Tourism Coalition, Maryland Office of Tourism and fellow industry partners took on Capitol Hill on April 1 & April 2. More than 400 industry leaders from all 50 states and two territories convened in Washington last week for U.S. Travel’s Destination Capitol Hill — a powerful demonstration that the industry is united, focused and ready to drive change.
The event kicked off with a diverse array of expert speakers and panel discussions, preparing advocates with the insights, strategies and tools needed to engage effectively on Capitol Hill. Attendees received in-depth briefings on today’s political landscape, urgent policy priorities and how to advocate with impact.
In one day:
- 10+ meetings on Capitol Hill with all Districts across Maryland
- Direct engagement with the Senate and the House
- One message: Travel is essential — and the status quo is unacceptable
Key priorities we brought to the table:
- Streamline visa processing to reduce wait times that still exceed 200 days in key markets
- Modernize air travel with more CBP staffing, biometric screening and upgraded air traffic control
- Showcase America by investing in national parks, raising the H-2B visa cap and preparing to welcome the world for the 2026 World Cup, America 250 and the 2028 Olympics
The upcoming mega-decade of events presents a nearly $100 billion economic opportunity — but only if the White House and Congress act now to modernize travel and fix long-standing barriers to growth.
“Without immediate action, the U.S. risks overwhelmed entry points, massive delays and frustrated travelers.” — U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman.
Recognizing champions: During DCH, the industry recognized this year’s Travel Champions — Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Gary Peters (D-MI), and Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) — for their leadership and commitment to making travel more efficient, high-tech and competitive.
The work done builds on U.S. Travel’s efforts through the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, which launched a national campaign earlier this year detailing the critical actions needed from the administration and Congress to maintain America’s position as the global leader in travel.
