04/18/2026
Another example of the government getting it wrong. This law wouldn't stop the unethical tour companies ... it would just burden the ethical travel companies. I'm so thankful that we, as travel professionals, have ASTA to come in to educate government on the scope of their legislation. Under the last administration, DOT decided that travel agencies had to refund airline passengers who were waiting for legitimate refunds from the airlines BECAUSE THE AIRLINES WERE DOING EVERYTHING TO AVOID MAKING REFUNDS! So, instead of going after the airlines, DOT decided to tap the travel advisors ... who NEVER see or touch the airline fees. (Payments for flights goes directly to the airline.) Money paid, by travelers, never go through the travel advisor. It always goes directly to the travel suppliers. In the State of Florida, our Seller of Travel license prohibits us from touching that money in any way. For example, if someone sent me a check to pay for their travel, and I deposited that check on my account and then used my credit card to pay the supplier, I'd be in breach of my license. ASTA fought this and met with DOT and the White House to educate them on the burden this would cause small travel companies. It would bankrupt them. But it went through. ASTA advised us to stop selling airline tickets independent of a travel package where the travel suppliers book the flights (which is why I don't book air). ASTA continues to look out for travel professionals and to educate and lobby for our best interests
ASTA opposes a Maryland bill that establishes a seller of travel registration program, arguing it burdens travel advisors without addressing misconduct by unlicensed operators.
