Washington, D.C.; April 20, 2026 – The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) today kicked off Legislative Day 2026, bringing more than 200 travel industry professionals to Washington, D.C. for the industry’s premier advocacy event, including nearly 200 scheduled meetings with members of Congress and their staff.
Taking place April 20–21, Legislative Day brings travel advisors from across the country to the nation’s capital to advocate for policies that support small business travel agencies, protect consumers and strengthen the travel industry overall. Attendees reflect the full breadth of the travel advisor community, from one-person independent contractor businesses to leaders of the nation’s largest Travel Management Companies. The program also features ASTA’s Travel Industry Forecast, giving attendees and policymakers a timely look at the economic, policy and market forces shaping leisure and corporate travel.
“Today, ASTA members are on the ground in Washington making the case for the essential role travel advisors play in the U.S. economy and in the lives of the travelers they serve,” said Zane Kerby, ASTA President and CEO. “Legislative Day is about showing up, telling our story and ensuring lawmakers understand the real-world impact their decisions have on small businesses and the broader travel marketplace. With more than 200 travel professionals here and nearly 200 meetings scheduled, our industry is speaking with clarity and strength.”
By combining direct advocacy with ASTA’s Travel Industry Forecast, Legislative Day gives participants a fuller picture of both the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. As advisors head to Capitol Hill, they are doing so equipped not only with frontline experience, but also with insight into how traveler demand, economic conditions and public policy are influencing business performance across the sector.
“Legislative Day is especially powerful because it pairs our policy priorities with the broader business outlook for travel,” said Jessica Klement, ASTA Vice President of Advocacy. “The Travel Industry Forecast is part of that story. It helps frame the environment our members are operating in and showcases why it is so important for lawmakers to hear directly from travel advisors about the issues affecting their businesses and their clients.”
During their meetings on Capitol Hill, ASTA members will discuss key priorities impacting the travel advisor community and the traveling public, including airline refund policies, travel advisor representation in federal consumer protection discussions and the importance of preserving independent contractor models relied upon by many travel businesses. In those conversations, members will also highlight findings from ASTA’s new brief on the impact of the 2025 and 2026 government shutdowns on travel advisors and agencies. The brief points to operational and financial strain, as well as growing concern over eroding traveler confidence and the increasing unpredictability of the travel process.
“Travel advisors are on the front lines of this industry every day,” Kerby added. “They understand what travelers need, where the market is heading and what policy changes would make a meaningful difference. Legislative Day tells the story grounded in data, real-world experience and the voices of the professionals who keep people traveling.”
