For Immediate Release Contact: Lisa Simon, CEOlisa.simon@inboundtravel.org 859-351-0805 New ESTA Data Collection Proposal Could Impose High Economic Costs WASHINGTON, D.C. — The International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) today expressed concern about... Continue Reading
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs & Border Protection recently proposed a new rule to collect additional information from Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) travelers, including social media, personal and family contact information and biometrics — face,... Continue Reading
2026 will present inbound tour operators and their clients with a series of challenges impacting both the cost and the quality of experiencing our national parks. Both of these situations are on top of other issues, which can continue the circumstances that made the United States the only... Continue Reading
International Air Passenger Enplanements To and From the United States Down 0.2 percent Year Over Year in November 2025 Overseas Visitation to the United States Down 3.5 percent Year Over Year in November 2025 Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that... Continue Reading
This is an update to this previous article. The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a new international visitor / nonresident surcharge for entry to 11 major U.S. National Parks beginning January 1, 2026. Since the announcement, we’ve heard from operators, DMOs, and partners across... Continue Reading
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have proposed a new requirement for travelers applying for ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program: the mandatory submission of social media account information as part of the background screening process. The proposed... Continue Reading
In September 2025, international visitor arrivals to the United States totaled 5,477,289, a decrease of 11 percent compared to September 2024 Outbound travel departures from the United States by U.S. citizens totaled 8,546,659 in September 2025, an increase of 0.5 percent compared to September... Continue Reading
The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a new international visitor / nonresident surcharge for entry to 11 major U.S. National Parks beginning January 1, 2026. Since the announcement, we’ve heard from operators, DMOs, and partners across the globe who are deeply... Continue Reading
For Immediate Release Contact: Lisa Simon, CEOlisa.simon@inboundtravel.org 859-351-0805 Inbound Travel Group Voices Serious Concerns Over New International Visitor Fee for Group Tours to U.S. National Parks Washington, D.C. — December 5, 2025 —... Continue Reading
The IITA Summit 2026 in Niagara Falls, New York is fast approaching, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to share your excitement and get the word out to your networks! Whether you're a speaker, sponsor, or attendee, you play a vital role in spreading the buzz about this incredible... Continue Reading
By Julie Heizer, IITA Ambassador Destinations and their travel and tourism industry partners and stakeholders gain valuable insights and solid “how-to's” by participating in the IITA Inbound Insider Steps to Success™ (STS) Live program delivered by Alon Tourism... Continue Reading
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has new efforts to advance the biometric Entry/Exit program. CBP has a Congressional mandate to biometrically record all foreign nationals entering and exiting the United States. Years of testing have demonstrated that biometric facial comparison... Continue Reading
