New Report Details Necessary Travel Reforms Before FIFA World Cup, Olympics, Mega-Decade of Events

Thanksgiving-like travel extremes expected at U.S. airports 50 days next year, doubling to 100 days in 2028; current air travel system not built to handle surge of travelers.  

Roadmap outlines future of TSA screening: travelers keep shoes and belts on; liquids in bottles; laptops in bags.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- America is on the brink of a historic travel surge — but without immediate action, our outdated air travel system will strain under the pressure according to a new report released by the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel. The report identifies urgent steps needed to ensure President Trump delivers a "golden age of travel" ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2025 Ryder Cup and America's 250th anniversary.

"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 Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "Each of our recommendations will enhance both security and speed, ensuring travelers move efficiently through our airports." 

Today, the travel industry released a blueprint to position America as the world's travel leader and avoid massive entry delays, overwhelmed TSA checkpoints and frustrated travelers as the U.S. prepares for a decade of historic global events. U.S. Travel is calling for immediate leadership from the White House and action from Congress. 

In addition to security reforms outlined throughout the report, U.S. Travel continues to call for urgent modernization of air traffic control technology and solutions to the nation's air traffic controller shortages. 

"America is staring at a historic opportunity — the question is whether we will seize the moment or fall maddeningly short," said Freeman. "The next several years will bring unprecedented travel demand that our systems are not prepared to handle. 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 Commission's recommendations were informed by experts across government and the private sector and build on the agencies' hard work and investment in national security," said Kevin McAleenan, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Chair of the Commission. "With the recommendations to increase security and enhance facilitation with smart technology investments, process improvements, and government and private sector collaboration, we have an incredible opportunity to enhance our travel system and welcome additional visitors." 

Based on the Commission's report, the U.S. Travel Association is calling on Congress and the Trump Administration to take four steps: 

1. Establish White House leadership to showcase America at premier events. The Trump Administration should immediately establish a task force, chaired by a senior White House official, to bring sustained leadership and focus across the federal government to take advantage of global events coming our way over the next four years.  

2. Deliver on President Trump's promise to process visas efficiently and securely for the 2026 World Cup. 

• • Provide full-strength consular staffing for visa processing.
  • Extend B-1/B-2 visa validity for vetted, lawful visitors by two years.
  • Establish a National Vetting Service that builds on President Trump's National Vetting Center and processes all visitor visas in 30 days or less.
  • Create a "Secure Travel Partnership" program to increase countries that have strong travel security agreements with the U.S. as a stepping-stone to the Visa Waiver Program.  

3. Create the world's most advanced and secure airport screening process by making a historic investment in security technology. Immediately end the diversion of the Passenger Security Fee and increase technology funding to ensure that within five years all travelers can pack larger liquids in carry-ons, keep electronics and IDs in their bags, and keep their shoes, jackets and belts on. 

4. Create strong, modern and efficient airport borders to keep America safe and global travel moving. 

• • Provide full-strength CBP staffing at airport customs.
  • End hours-long customs wait times for Americans returning home from abroad by leveraging biometrics and advanced vetting to remove the requirement to meet with a CBP officer unless they have something to declare.
  • Strengthen protection against immigration overstays by completing biometric air exit within two years. 

The Commission is comprised of former government 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 from airport management and investment entities. 

With bipartisan support and a new administration in place, America has a once-in-a-generation chance to transform its travel infrastructure. "This is the moment to deliver the world-class travel system Americans deserve — and the world expects," Freeman concluded. 

For more on the Commission's findings, read the full report.

U.S. Travel Association Contact

Greg Staley ([email protected])
(O) 202.408.2162 

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.

SOURCE U.S. Travel Association