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H.R. 2299House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Protecting Tourism in the United States Act

Sponsored by Kathy CastorRep. Kathy Castor (D-FL)
Introduced April 1, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 1:18 AM UTC

The Protecting Tourism in the United States Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to study how the COVID‑19 pandemic has impacted the U.S. travel and tourism sector. Within a year the Secretary must complete a full study and submit a report with findings and policy recommendations to Congress. An interim study is required within three months to provide early data. The bill affects the travel and tourism industry, related businesses, and federal agencies involved in economic analysis.

Key Provisions

  • Mandates a comprehensive study of COVID‑19’s effects on all segments of the travel and tourism industry to be finished within one year of enactment.
  • Requires an interim study and report within three months to give early insight and a framework for the full study.
  • Calls for consultation with representatives from small businesses, restaurants, hotels, attractions, travel services, state tourism offices, and transportation sectors, plus a public comment period.
  • Orders the Secretary to submit the final report, including results and policy recommendations, to the relevant House and Senate committees and make it publicly available.
  • Defines the “pandemic period” for the study and clarifies that the Secretary of Commerce is the responsible official.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee

April 2, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 1, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

April 1, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee

April 2, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 1, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2299

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 1, 2021

Ms. Castor of Florida (for herself and Mr. Upton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry in the United States, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting Tourism in the United States Act.

2.

Study and report on effects of COVID–19 pandemic on travel and tourism industry in United States

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the head of any other Federal agency the Secretary considers appropriate, shall complete a study on the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry, including various segments of the travel and tourism industry, such as domestic, international, leisure, business, conventions, meetings, and events.

(b)

Matters for consideration

In conducting the study required by subsection (a) and the interim study required by subsection (e)(1), the Secretary shall consider—

(1)

changes in employment rates in the travel and tourism industry during the pandemic period;

(2)

changes in revenues of businesses in the travel and tourism industry during the pandemic period;

(3)

changes in employment and sales in industries related to the travel and tourism industry, and changes in contributions of the travel and tourism industry to such related industries, during the pandemic period;

(4)

the effects attributable to the changes described in paragraphs (1) through (3) in the travel and tourism industry and such related industries on the overall economy of the United States during the pandemic period and the projected effects of such changes on the overall economy of the United States following the pandemic period; and

(5)

any additional matters the Secretary considers appropriate.

(c)

Consultation and public comment

In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(1)

consult with representatives of—

(A)

the small business sector;

(B)

the restaurant or food service sector;

(C)

the hotel and alternative accommodations sector;

(D)

the attractions or recreations sector;

(E)

the travel distribution services sector;

(F)

destination marketing organizations;

(G)

State tourism offices; and

(H)

the passenger air, railroad, and rental car sectors; and

(2)

provide an opportunity for public comment and advice relevant to conducting the study.

(d)

Report to Congress

Not later than 6 months after the date on which the study required by subsection (a) is completed, the Secretary, in consultation with the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the head of any other Federal agency the Secretary considers appropriate, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly available on the website of the Department of Commerce, a report that contains—

(1)

the results of such study; and

(2)

policy recommendations for promoting and assisting the travel and tourism industry.

(e)

Interim study and report

Not later than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, after consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, shall—

(1)

complete an interim study, which shall be based on data available at the time when the study is conducted and provide a framework for the study required by subsection (a), on the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic (as of such time) on the travel and tourism industry, including various segments of the travel and tourism industry, such as domestic, international, leisure, business, conventions, meetings, and events; and

(2)

submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly available on the website of the Department of Commerce, an interim report that contains the results of the interim study required by paragraph (1).

(f)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Pandemic period

The term pandemic period has the meaning given the term emergency period in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B)), excluding any portion of such period after the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.

(3)

Travel and tourism industry

The term travel and tourism industry means the travel and tourism industry in the United States.