Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

USTA: U.S. air travel unprepared for World Cup, Olympics

The association urges a White House-led task force for global event coordination

US air travel challenges for 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics

The U.S. is unprepared for the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted at Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium, and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as outdated air travel systems face strain from increased visitors, visa issues and aging infrastructure, according to a report commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association.

US Air Travel Faces Challenges for 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics

THE U.S. IS unprepared for the air travel demands of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to the U.S. Travel Association’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel. Without immediate action, the outdated system will struggle with increased visitors amid concerns over visas, aging infrastructure and inadequate security technology.

The USTA-commissioned report estimates the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, 2025 Ryder Cup and the U.S.’s 250th birthday celebrations could draw 40 million visitors and generate $95 billion in economic activity.


"The next several years will bring unprecedented travel demand that our systems are not prepared to handle," said Geoff Freeman, USTA’s president and CEO. "Washington has a small window to fix major travel pain points and unlock a $100 billion economic opportunity—but it will require a level of urgency that has been missing in recent years."

The U.S. will also host the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and annual Formula One races in Las Vegas, Miami and Austin. The report calls on the Trump administration to create a senior White House-led task force to coordinate federal efforts for upcoming global events.

USTA emphasizes the need for swift modernization of air traffic control and solutions for controller shortages, alongside security reforms outlined in the report.

Based on the Commission’s report, the U.S. Travel Association calls on Congress and the Trump administration to take four steps:

1.Establish a White House-led task force chaired by a senior official to coordinate federal efforts and maximize the impact of major global events over the next four years.

2.Streamline visa processing for the 2026 World Cup by:

  • Ensuring full consular staffing for visa processing.
  • Extending B-1/B-2 visa validity for vetted visitors by two years.
  • Establishing a National Vetting Service to process all visitor visas within 30 days.
  • Expanding the "Secure Travel Partnership" as a pathway to the Visa Waiver Program.

3.Modernize airport security screening by investing in advanced technology. Within five years, travelers should be able to carry larger liquids, keep electronics and IDs in bags, and forgo removing shoes, jackets, and belts. End the diversion of the Passenger Security Fee and increase technology funding.

4.Enhance airport border efficiency and security by:

  • Fully staffing CBP officers at airport customs.
  • Using biometrics and advanced vetting to eliminate unnecessary customs interviews for returning Americans.
  • Completing biometric air exit within two years to prevent overstays.

"The advancements we recommend are an opportunity for President Trump and Congress to enact the most significant improvements to air travel since TSA PreCheck, which revolutionized traveler security and screening," said Freeman. "Each of our recommendations will enhance both security and speed, ensuring travelers move efficiently through our airports."

The Commission includes former officials from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, and the State Department, along with private sector experts in airport management and investment.

An October report by USTA and Ipsos found that air travel hassles cause fliers to skip an average of two trips per year, leading to 27 million avoided trips, a $71 billion economic loss, and a $4.5 billion drop in tax revenue.

More for you

AAHOALending.com લોન્ચ 2025

AAHOA, બ્રિજ AAHOALending.com લોન્ચ કરે છે

AAHOA અને બ્રિજે AAHOALending.com ને AAHOACON 2025 માં રજૂ કર્યું

AAHOA અને બ્રિજે AAHOALending.com લોન્ચ કર્યું, જે હોસ્પિટાલિટી પર કેન્દ્રિત ડિજિટલ ધિરાણ પ્લેટફોર્મ છે. તે AAHOA સભ્યોને 150 થી વધુ ધિરાણકર્તાઓની ઍક્સેસ પ્રદાન કરે છે, જેમાં વધુને વધુ લોકોને નિયમિતપણે ઉમેરવાની યોજના છે, આ પ્લેટફોર્મ વપરાશકર્તાઓને ધિરાણ વિકલ્પોની તુલના કરવાની, શ્રેષ્ઠ દરો અને સુરક્ષિત ભંડોળ શોધવાની મંજૂરી આપે છે.

કોફાઉન્ડર અને CEO રોહિત માથુરની આગેવાની હેઠળના બ્રિજને ક્લબ બ્લુ ઇન્ડસ્ટ્રી પાર્ટનર તરીકે નિયુક્ત કરવામાં આવ્યા છે, જે AAHOAના પ્રોગ્રામમાં સર્વોચ્ચ સ્તર છે, તેના 300 ભાગીદારોમાંથી માત્ર 12 જ લાયકાત ધરાવે છે, એમ બંનેએ સંયુક્ત નિવેદનમાં જણાવ્યું હતું.

Keep ReadingShow less
2025માં મંદીની સંભાવના 50 ટકા : HAMA સર્વે

2025માં મંદીની સંભાવના 50 ટકા : HAMA સર્વે

HAMA 2025 સર્વે: 49% મેનેજર્સ મંદીની આશંકા ધરાવે છે

હોસ્પિટાલિટી એસેટ મેનેજર્સ એસોસિએશનના સ્પ્રિંગ 2025 ઇન્ડસ્ટ્રી આઉટલુક સર્વેક્ષણમાં અંદાજે 49 ટકા ઉત્તરદાતાઓ 2025 માં અમેરિકામાં મંદીની અપેક્ષા રાખે છે, જે 2024ના પાનખર સર્વેક્ષણમાં 19 ટકાથી વધુ છે. ટોચની ત્રણ ચિંતાઓ માંગ, ટેરિફ અને DOGE કટ અને વેતનમાં વધારો વચ્ચેનો જોડાણ છે.

HAMA સર્વેક્ષણમાં જાણવા મળ્યું છે કે લગભગ 55 ટકા ઉત્તરદાતાઓએ તેમની વર્તમાન વ્યૂહરચનાના ભાગ રૂપે બ્રાન્ડ અથવા મેનેજમેન્ટ ફેરફારો કર્યા છે અથવા કરવાની યોજના બનાવી છે.

Keep ReadingShow less
AAHOA Bridge AAHOALending 2025

AAHOA, Bridge launch AAHOALending.com

AAHOA and Bridge Unveil AAHOALending.com at AAHOACON 2025

AAHOA AND BRIDGE launched AAHOALending.com, a digital lending platform focused on hospitality. It offers AAHOA members access to more than 150 lenders, with plans to add more regularly, while allowing users to compare financing options, find the best rates and secure funding.

Bridge, led by Cofounder and CEO Rohit Mathur, has been named a Club Blue Industry Partner, the highest level in AAHOA’s program, with only 12 of its 300 partners qualifying, the duo said in a joint statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
HWIC WHLA partnership 2025

HWIC joins WHLA to support industry women

HWIC Becomes WHLA’s 34th Member in 2025

THE HOSPITALITY WOMEN’S Innovation Council recently joined as the 34th member of the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance to support women and underserved communities across the industry. The council will encourage women to take part in the messaging, programs and initiatives shared by all WHLA groups.

WHLA was founded in 2021 as a consortium of organizations working to advance women in hospitality.

Keep ReadingShow less
CJ Media WHLA media training event for women in 2025

CJ Media, WHLA launch media training for women in hospitality

CJ Media & WHLA Empower Women with Media Training in 2025

CJ MEDIA SOLUTIONS LLC and the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance will provide quarterly media training to help advance women in hospitality. The program, offered to the alliance’s participating organizations, will draw on experienced media and PR professionals to deliver guidance across interviews, video, podcasts and live panels.

Each session will be archived for alliance members to access anytime, the duo said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less