US Travel Association Warns of "Chilling Effect" on Tourism from Proposed Social Media Rules

The US Travel Association has expressed concerns that a proposal to require millions of foreign visitors to provide social media handles used over the past five years could have a chilling effect on visits to the US. The association issued its comments in a statement on Monday, warning that the proposed change could deter potential travelers and result in billions of dollars in lost revenue. The US government notice, announced last week, is expected to take effect on February 8 and would require travelers from countries in the visa waiver programme to submit the social media data. According to the US Travel Association, the proposed policy could have far-reaching consequences for the US travel and tourism industry. "If we get this policy wrong, millions of travelers could take their business and the billions of dollars they spend on travel to other countries," said a spokesperson for the association. The association is urging the government to reconsider the proposal, citing concerns that it could be overly broad and infringe on individuals' right to free speech. The proposal is part of a broader effort by the administration of US President Donald Trump to tighten vetting of foreigners entering the United States. The administration has taken a range of steps to enhance national security, including increasing scrutiny of visa applicants and expanding the use of biometric data. However, critics argue that the proposed policy goes too far and could have unintended consequences for the US travel and tourism industry. Industry experts point out that social media is an integral part of modern travel, with many tourists using platforms like Instagram and Facebook to share their experiences and connect with others. Requiring travelers to provide social media handles could be seen as an invasion of privacy and could deter people from traveling to the US. "This policy could have a chilling effect on travel to the US, particularly among younger travelers who are more likely to use social media," said a travel industry analyst. The proposed policy has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers and industry stakeholders. Some have argued that the policy is necessary to enhance national security, while others have expressed concerns about its potential impact on the US travel and tourism industry. The US Travel Association is urging the government to engage in a more nuanced discussion about the policy and to consider the potential consequences for the industry. The proposal is currently under review, and it is unclear what the final outcome will be. The US government has not yet responded to the US Travel Association's comments, and it remains to be seen whether the policy will be implemented in its current form.