USTA welcomes Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

The United States Congress has passed President Donald Trump’s pet legislative package, the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ which includes a sweeping set of moves.

The passage of the bill has been welcomed by the US Travel Association, which brings together the US travel industry, valued at USD 1.3 trillion.

In a press statement, USTA says that Geoff Freeman, President and CEO, welcomed the passage as a key legislative package with big wins for US travel industry.

“This legislation is a giant step in the right direction when it comes to improving America’s travel infrastructure and security. Bold, necessary investments in air traffic control and Customs and Border Protection will make a meaningful difference in the traveler’s experience. The smart investments in the travel process make foolish new fees on foreign visitors and reductions to Brand USA, America’s promotion arm, that much harder to swallow. Making America the world’s most visited destination, and capitalizing on the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics, requires smarter policy and legislative changes that we are already pursuing,” says Freeman. 

USTA says that some of the key measures which will help the travel industry include the USD 12.5 billion to modernise the National Airspace System (NAS), with supporting updates to air traffic control technology, physical infrastructure and workforce development.  

The bill also includes increased customs staffing to spur international growth and reduce wait times, with USD 4.1 billion to hire and train at least 5,000 new US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and USD 2 billion in CBP retention bonuses to address ongoing staffing shortages, which will help lower wait times at airports and improve the traveler experience. 

Another significant move involves technology investments to strengthen border security and unlock future Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) expansion as the bill includes USD 673 million to expand the biometric entry-exit system at ports of entry.

With the US hosting key global events including the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup, the bill also includes funding for Department of Homeland Security funding to the extent of USD 625 million for security, planning and operations related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and USD 1 billion for security and planning tied to the 2028 LA Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The statement adds that despite important gains in the bill, Freeman emphasised that Congress must restore full federal funding for Brand USA, the nation’s official destination marketing organisation. Brand USA’s federal match was reduced from up to USD 100 million annually to just USD 20 million as part of broader federal spending cuts. Trump’s FY26 budget requests full funding for Brand USA, and Freeman called on Congress to meet that request, which is critical for the success of America’s 250th anniversary and other major global events hosted during Trump’s term. 

Freeman also expressed frustration with the bill’s steep increases to non-immigrant visa fees. Among the fee increases in the bill, the legislation imposes a new USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee for visitor visas and raises the Electronic System for Travel AuthorizSation (ESTA) fee for Visa Waiver Programme travellers from USD 21 to USD 40. 

“Failing to fully fund Brand USA is a missed opportunity, especially as the administration seeks to maximise a historic slate of global events on American soil. Raising fees on lawful international visitors amounts to a self-imposed tariff on one of our nation’s largest exports, international travel spending. These fees are not reinvested in improving the travel experience and do nothing but discourage visitation at a time when foreign travellers are already concerned about the welcome experience and high prices. As Congress begins work on FY26 appropriations, it must fully fund Brand USA and ensure visitor fees are lowered, if not eliminated, wherever possible,” says Freeman.