U.S. Congress Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Revitalize North American Tourism via CUSMA
A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. Congress, aiming to strengthen travel and tourism ties between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act is sponsored by a group of Democratic and Republican legislators from the Senate and House of Representatives, representing states such as Florida, Nevada, and Kansas. The sponsors argue that the tourism sector is crucial to the economies of all three nations, supporting millions of jobs and generating significant revenue.
Addressing Declines in Tourism and Economic Impact
In 2024, U.S. travel and tourism were valued at US$1.3 trillion, supporting approximately 15 million jobs. However, recent years have seen a struggle in this sector, with notable declines in international visitors, particularly from Canada. For instance, in Palm Springs, California, the city responded to a Canadian travel boycott in 2025 by displaying banners and signs expressing affection for Canada. This decline underscores the need for coordinated efforts to revitalize the industry.
The bill directs the U.S. Trade Representative to advocate for the establishment of a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group during the upcoming joint review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), known in Canada as CUSMA. This group would be co-chaired by all three countries and composed of officials responsible for travel and tourism policy. Its goals include enhancing North America's competitiveness in tourism, increasing exports of travel and tourism services, and supporting job creation and economic growth across the region.
Support from Legislators and Industry Groups
Vern Buchanan, a veteran Florida Republican congressman and co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the importance of tourism, stating, "For districts like ours that welcome millions of visitors each year, tourism isn’t just an industry, it’s a driver of jobs and economic growth." He also highlighted that the proposed Act will ensure travel and tourism are fully represented during the USMCA joint review, helping to keep the economy open for business.
The U.S. Travel Association is supporting this bipartisan initiative. Erik Hansen, senior vice president and head of government relations, commented, "As the United States faces a decline in international visitation, this bipartisan legislation would ensure travel and tourism are prioritized in the upcoming USMCA joint review. Creating a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group will deepen cooperation with Canada and Mexico, strengthen North America’s competitiveness, expand travel exports, and support the millions of American workers and businesses that rely on travel."
Current Context and Future Prospects
Existing CUSMA groups focus on areas such as labor, environment, automotive rules of origin, and other trade disciplines, but do not include a standing group solely for travel and tourism policy and coordination. The bill aims to fill this gap, providing a formal platform for discussions that could lead to more effective strategies for boosting tourism.
Additionally, the bill's sponsors argue that the U.S. should capitalize on America's 250th anniversary celebrations in July, which are expected to drive domestic and international travel to historic levels. This timing could provide a significant boost to the tourism industry if the bill is enacted.
The Act has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Ways and Means for review. If passed, it could dramatically change how the tourism industry is managed across the three countries, fostering greater collaboration and economic resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
