Cortez Masto, Moran Introduce Legislation to Boost Tourism Between United States, Mexico, and Canada

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act to ensure that the United States is working with Canada and Mexico, America's two largest trading partners, to support our travel and tourism industry.

U.S. travel and tourism exports were worth $1.3 trillion in 2024 and supported more than 15 million American jobs. However, according to the New York Times, 4.5 million fewer international visits were expected in 2025 compared with 2024, which includes a 26 percent drop in Canadian visitors.

"Travel and tourism are vital not only to Nevada's economy, but to the economy of the United States as a whole," said Senator Cortez Masto. "As we've seen over the past year, tariffs, trade, and international cooperation play a large role in either promoting or deterring international travel. As partners in this historic trade agreement, it's critical that we do what we can to invite Canada and Mexico to support the American travel industry."

"Travel and tourism are essential to America's economy, supporting millions of jobs and connecting communities in Kansas and across the country," said Senator Moran. "As co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, I look forward to working with USTR to make certain USMCA supports efforts to bolster cross-border travel, reduce unnecessary travel barriers and strengthen the U.S. travel economy."

"Travel is America's top services export and a critical engine for jobs and economic growth in every state. As the United States faces a decline in international visitation, this bipartisan legislation would ensure travel and tourism are prioritized in the upcoming USMCA joint review. Creating a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group will deepen cooperation with Canada and Mexico, strengthen North America's competitiveness, expand travel exports, and support the millions of American workers and businesses that rely on travel. U.S. Travel Association applauds Senators Cortez Masto and Moran for their leadership in introducing this legislation and urges swift action to help keep the United States the world's top destination," said Erik Hansen, Senior Vice President, Head of Government Relations, U.S. Travel Association.

The USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act would require that the U.S. Trade Representative advocate for the establishment of a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group as part of the upcoming Joint Review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USMCA, which entered into force in 2020, established joint working groups for other industries, but tourism and travel are not currently represented.

Read the bill here.

Senator Cortez Masto is a fierce advocate for Nevada's tourism economy, fighting for transparency and working to support the state through the current economic chaos. On multiple occasions throughout 2025, the Senator raised concerns and demanded the Trump Administration consider and reverse their policies and make constructive plans for strengthening travel and tourism in the U.S. Overall, Cortez Masto is seeking economic analysis from the Trump Administration and Congress on the impacts of reduced tourism to the economy nationwide. In September, she hosted a press conference with the Culinary Union to call out Trump Administration policies that are slowing travel and tourism in Nevada.

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