Being Nimble and Staying Informed When Policy Shifts

Every day, it can feel like we’re waking up to something new that’s worthy of our attention. Whether it’s policy affecting the industry as a whole, world developments impacting groups’ travel plans, or otherwise, staying on top of it all often feels like a job in and of itself.

Catherine Prather, President of the National Tour Association (NTA), shared how the association works to keep their members informed, noting that collaboration is key to staying up to date and engaged.

“Curate a professional network you can trust, join an association focused solely and sincerely on tour operator packaged travel, and take full advantage of the resources it offers,” Prather said, emphasizing that NTA has done exactly this for the last 75 years. “We understand our obligation and responsibility to keep our members up to date on our constantly evolving world. We also have an engaged, welcoming, and caring community that we consistently bring together throughout the year—virtually and in person—to elevate one another's knowledge and understanding of what's going on, to discuss solutions and best practices to address pain points, and to celebrate victories.”

NTA, Prather added, stays involved directly at the U.S. federal level—something industry pros should expect from their trade associations. They also work with other industry partners such as the Beyond Borders Tourism Coalition, and encourage others to do the same.

“NTA engages with a Washington, DC-based government affairs team that closely tracks policies affecting our industry—particularly those impacting tour operator group and packaged travel,” she said. “We share this information with members. We also have contacts and partners who keep us informed on international shifts that we need to act on or bring to our members' attention.”

The policy environment, as we’ve come to know well, can change on a dime. Prather shared some recent examples.

“One is Customs and Border Protection’s proposed rule change related to additional requirements for travelers from U.S. visa waiver countries,” she recalled. “This was posted in the Federal Register, so once we were alerted to it, NTA submitted comments, put out a call to action to members, and provided facts and speaking points to help them create their own comments.”

Another recent example was in relation to proposals for increasing entrance fees for non-U.S. residents to U.S. national parks.

“We’ve had a multi-level approach to these advocacy efforts including direct outreach to legislators, calls to action for our members, and collaboration with industry colleagues,” Prather explained. “NTA also has had meetings with top-level officials in the related government agencies to bring our perspective and member insights to the administration to try to affect change.”

Beyond association membership, becoming and staying active in your own community is essential.

“It's also important for travel professionals to be engaged at the local and state/provincial level so they stay apprised of policy changes from that perspective,” Prather shared. “And you simply need to be an informed citizen: read your local publications, watch or listen to a credible news source, do your own research (not on social media, please!), and read travel trade publications, such as Groups Today.”

Ultimately, Prather reiterated that one of the most powerful things industry professionals can do to influence policy while staying informed is by simply getting involved.

“We need more people who want to get involved and to amplify our voices in the travel industry, especially as it relates to issues impacting tour operator group and packaged travel,” she said. “NTA will put out a call to action related to policy that could be beneficial or could be detrimental. It's as simple as taking action—following up with a phone call or an email to your policymakers to share your perspective on how proposed legislation affects your business and your clients.”

She also encouraged visits to your legislators at both the federal and state level to nurture a relationship.

“Help them understand the tremendous economic and diplomatic power of travel, and participate in industry Hill visits, such as U.S. Travel's Destination Capitol Hill.”

Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.

This article originally appeared in the May/June ’26 issue of Groups Today.