Travel Companies Spent Big in Q2 on Lobbying — Here’s What They Want

Just about all the travel companies want lower taxes and they've got their own initiatives where they want to see more spending.

From April through June, the tourism and travel industries grappled with several political challenges at once: President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff turbulence. Messy debates over the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” U.S. travel bans and declining tourism from abroad.

In response, many of the nation’s biggest airlines, hotels, travel service companies, and associated trade associations spent bigger-than-usual amounts to lobby Congress and the Trump administration, according to a Skift analysis of new federal lobbying disclosure documents filed Monday.

This government influence spending, which includes money spent on both in-house and for-hire lobbyists in Washington, D.C., is designed to defend industry and corporate interests and advocate for favorable policies and legislation.

Among the notable revelations:

Trade Groups: The U.S. Travel Association reported a spike in its lobbying activity during the second quarter ($1.03 million) versus a year earlier ($900,00).

It was also well beyond what it spent during the same period in 2021 during Joe Biden’s first year as president ($840,000) and in 2017 during the first year of Trump’s first term ($640,000).

“Lobbying expenditures during the first year of a new presidential administration or new Congress typically increase — along with legislative and regulatory action — compared to the previous year,” U.S. Travel Association spokesperson Spencer