U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance

What U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance does

The U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance (USTEA) is a U.S.-based nonprofit policy advocacy coalition launched in April 2026 to oppose the Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandate Bill (CCCA) and related legislation that the alliance argues would eliminate credit card rewards programs and damage the travel and tourism economy. USTEA connects policymakers with industry stakeholders, arguing that rewards-funded interchange revenue underwrites competitive airline base fares, regional route viability, and ancillary perks such as free checked bags and lounge access. The alliance unites more than 30 member organizations across airlines (e.g., Airlines for America), airports (Albuquerque International Sunport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International, Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, Baton Rouge Metropolitan, Oakland County Airport), chambers of commerce, destination marketing organizations, cultural institutions, civil rights groups, and state banking associations spanning at least nine states.

USTEA operates as a project of the Electronic Payments Coalition and is funded through member contributions; it does not sell products or services and has no proprietary technology platform. Its activities consist of coalition-building, direct advocacy with federal and state legislators, public-facing communications through a website (protectusatourism.com), email newsletter, social media, and an active earned-media program that places op-eds and press coverage in national and regional outlets (RealClearMarkets, Portland Press Herald, Westword, Vail Daily, Las Vegas Sun, Wyoming Tribune Eagle). A documented early policy win was the June 2026 veto by Colorado Governor Jared Polis of state Senate Bill 26-134, which USTEA argued would have undermined travel rewards.

The alliance cites commissioned Oxford Economics estimates projecting up to 156,000 job losses and approximately $227 billion in lost economic activity if the federal CCCA passes, plus roughly $80 billion in reduced consumer discretionary spending from diminished rewards. Its go-to-market is coalition-led advocacy: recruiting member organizations to amplify a single-issue policy message, mobilizing localized member testimonials in regional press, and engaging directly with Congress and state legislatures.

Name

U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance

Legal name

U.S. Travel and Tourism Economy Alliance

Website

https://www.protectusatourism.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance is a nonprofit advocacy coalition of more than 30 travel, tourism, and financial industry organizations that lobbies federal and state policymakers to protect credit card rewards programs from the Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandate Bill and related legislation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association & Policy Advocacy Services

NAICS

Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Tourism Trade & Services Exports Development (BPADAMAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Co-Branded Credit Card Partnerships (Issuers/Networks) (THABAKAD), Coalition & Partner Loyalty Networks (Partner Onboarding, Settlement, Interchange) (THALAKAD), Promotions, Marketing & Member Engagement (THABAKAK)

Keywords

• Policy advocacy coalition
• Travel tourism advocacy
• Credit card rewards protection
• Industry coalition organizing
• Legislative advocacy services

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership dues and industry contributions: USTEA is funded by its member organizations from the travel and tourism industry, including airlines, airports, hotels, chambers of commerce, and related businesses. As a project of the Electronic Payments Coalition, the alliance relies on contributions from allied industry groups to fund advocacy efforts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance (USTEA) is a coalition of more than 30 travel and tourism industry organizations that advocates with federal and state policymakers against the Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandate Bill. It mobilizes member organizations, conducts press outreach, and runs public awareness campaigns to protect credit card rewards programs and the broader U.S. travel and tourism economy from proposed legislation.

Product overview

U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance (USTEA) is a policy advocacy coalition, not a technology product company. It does not offer commercial products or services. The organization operates as an advocacy alliance connecting policymakers with travel and tourism industry stakeholders to protect the sector from proposed credit card legislation (Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandate Bill). Its activities include coalition-building, policy advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and member communications rather than product development or technology services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• USTEA Coalition Membership Membership-based coalition offering for travel and tourism industry organizations (airlines, airports, chambers of commerce, hotels, cultural institutions, tourism boards, and related businesses) that join to collectively advocate for policies protecting the travel and tourism economy.
• Policy Advocacy & Legislative Engagement Services Coalition-driven advocacy services targeting federal and state policymakers, focused on opposing the Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandate Bill (Credit Card Competition Act) and similar legislation deemed harmful to credit card rewards and the travel/tourism economy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16.7 million jobs supported by travel and tourism in the U.S.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Airlines for AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Major airline industry trade association that joined the USTEA coalition at launch to protect credit card travel rewards that support jobs across the travel and tourism sector.
• Electronic Payments CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSTEA is a project of the Electronic Payments Coalition, which coordinates the coalition's activities and provides organizational infrastructure.
• The Points GuycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading travel rewards media platform that joined the alliance to help protect consumer loyalty programs that motivate millions of travelers.
• Albuquerque Hispanic Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber representing Hispanic-owned businesses that depends on tourism spending driven by credit card rewards programs.
• Albuquerque International SunportsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional airport whose passenger demand is driven by travel rewards programs; represents airport interests in the coalition.
• Detroit Regional ChambersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor regional chamber representing businesses that benefit from travel and tourism economic activity.
• Mesa Gateway Airport AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArizona airport authority representing regional air travel and tourism economic interests in the East Valley.
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International AirportsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Southern airport representing tourism hub interests dependent on travel rewards-driven passenger volumes.
• Maine Bankers AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState banking association concerned about legislation's impact on credit card rewards and local economies.
• Maine Credit Union LeaguesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState credit union association whose members offer competitive rewards products that drive Maine tourism.
• New Mexico Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState chamber representing businesses that benefit from tourism spending at attractions like Carlsbad Caverns and the International Balloon Fiesta.
• North Dakota Bankers AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState banking association supporting tourism economy and opposing legislation that would reduce credit card travel rewards.
• Washington Bankers AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState banking association concerned about impact on financial institutions and tourism-dependent communities.
• Vail Valley PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado tourism promotion organization representing ski resorts, restaurants, and hospitality workers dependent on visitor spending.
• Seattle Latino Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber representing Latino businesses in Seattle's tourism economy.
• National Czech and Slovak Museum and LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution in Cedar Rapids dependent on visitors traveling to the area.
• Colorado Black Women for Political ActionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy organization highlighting how travel rewards provide access and equity for Black families and communities of color.
• Nevada Northern Railway MuseumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Historic Landmark museum dependent on tourism revenue to preserve historic engines and sustain local jobs.
• Visit CottonwoodsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArizona tourism organization representing wine country Old Town attractions dependent on visitor spending.
• Experience ScottsdalesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArizona destination marketing organization representing hospitality and retail businesses.
• NAACP Denver BranchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil rights organization advocating for economic equity in travel and tourism.
• Latin Chamber of Commerce NevadasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNevada chamber representing Hispanic businesses in the Las Vegas tourism economy.
• Greater Everett Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington state chamber representing regional business interests in tourism.
• Altoona Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIowa chamber representing local businesses dependent on regional tourism.
• Ames Regional Economic AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIowa economic development organization representing regional business interests.
• Ballard AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle neighborhood alliance representing local business interests.
• Baton Rouge Metropolitan AirportsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLouisiana airport authority representing regional air travel interests.
• Colorado Ethiopian CommunitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural organization representing immigrant-owned businesses that benefit from tourism.
• Fort Abraham Lincoln FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Dakota historical foundation dependent on visitor tourism.
• Lewis and Clark RiverboatsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Dakota riverboat tourism attraction.
• Maine Civic ActionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine civic engagement organization.
• New Mexico Brewers GuildsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraft brewing association whose members benefit from tourism spending.
• Northern Plains Heritage FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Dakota heritage organization representing cultural tourism interests.
• Oakland County AirportsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan airport authority representing regional aviation interests.
• Pasco Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington state chamber representing regional business community.
• Patterson InnsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado boutique hotel dependent on tourism revenue.
• Live in Colorado LLCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado business representing local economic interests.
• Location InnovatorssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado organization representing local innovation and economic development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• U.S. Travel Association: The leading U.S. travel and tourism industry trade association. USTEA parallels U.S. Travel's mission of promoting and defending the U.S. travel economy but is narrower (focused specifically on the credit-card-rewards legislative fight) and organized as a coalition project rather than a standalone 501(c)(6).
• Airlines for America (A4A): Major U.S. airline industry trade association and a core USTEA coalition member. A4A is a direct peer in travel-policy advocacy, though with a much broader mandate (safety, taxes, sustainability, labor) while USTEA focuses tightly on payments-policy threats to airline revenue.
• American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA): Principal U.S. hospitality-industry trade association that represents hotels on federal policy. AHLA is a structural peer to USTEA: both advocate for travel-and-hospitality interests in Washington, though AHLA's scope is lodging-focused and broader than USTEA's payments niche.
• Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC): USTEA's parent organization. EPC is the broader payments-industry coalition fighting interchange-fee regulation; USTEA is a project of EPC targeted at the travel/tourism-economic-impact framing of the same fight, making it the closest organizational analogue.
• American Bankers Association (ABA): Large U.S. banking trade association with aligned interest in opposing Durbin-Marshall interchange mandates. ABA engages on the same bill USTEA targets but covers the full banking industry, making it a direct peer in payments-policy advocacy.
• Consumer Bankers Association (CBA): Retail-banking trade association that actively opposes credit card interchange regulation. CBA is a direct peer to USTEA on the anti-Durbin-Marshall axis, with similar member-funded advocacy model but focused on consumer-banking institutions rather than tourism.
• National Retail Federation (NRF): Largest U.S. retail-industry trade association and the leading proponent of the Durbin-Marshall-style interchange mandates USTEA opposes. NRF is a direct counter-lobbyist peer: structurally identical advocacy coalition, opposing policy position.
• Bank Policy Institute (BPI): Policy and advocacy group for major U.S. banks on consumer-finance, payments, and regulatory issues. BPI is a direct peer to USTEA on interchange regulation, with shared members and overlapping anti-Durbin-Marshall advocacy, but focused on the bank side rather than the travel/tourism side.

Broad incumbents

• International Air Transport Association (IATA): Global airline trade association representing ~300+ carriers worldwide. IATA is a broader incumbent peer to USTEA: both advocate for airline commercial interests, but IATA is global and operationally diverse vs. USTEA's domestic, payments-focused niche.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Largest U.S. business federation with active engagement on payments and tax policy. The Chamber is a broad incumbent peer in Washington advocacy with overlapping engagement on the Durbin-Marshall issue but a vastly wider portfolio than USTEA's.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ProtectUSTravel
• Facebookfacebook.com/protectustravel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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