Welcome to Travel Tech's Passport Newsletter! Passport publishes every Wednesday to inform industry leaders about current and emerging public policy issues facing the travel tech industry.

In addition to the latest about Travel Tech and its advocacy efforts, Passport includes a curated news digest of the top stories at the intersection of travel, technology, and public policy.

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October 7, 2026

Association Updates

Travel Tech Association to Host 2026 Elections Intelligence Webinars

The 2026 elections could reshape the federal and state policy landscape for travel technology companies. To help the travel technology industry prepare for what comes next, Travel Tech will host two free webinars led by Travel Tech President and CEO Laura Chadwick and Head of State Government Affairs Dave Barmore. 

Together, the two sessions will give the travel technology community a clearer view of the political landscape before Election Day and practical insight into the policy environment taking shape afterward. Members will also have an opportunity to hear directly from Laura and Dave and ask questions about the developments most relevant to their businesses. SIGN UP TODAY

Last Chance to Register for the Start-Up Summit

One week from today, the travel tech community comes together for the 2026 Travel Tech Start-Up Summit in Arlington. The Summit brings founders, investors and industry leaders into the same room to spotlight emerging companies and create opportunities for meaningful connections.

If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time. Join Travel Tech for a full day of pitches and conversations centered on what’s next for travel technology. REGISTER NOW

Travel Tech Urges FTC to Target Deceptive Personalized Pricing While Preserving Competitive Travel Shopping Tools

Travel Tech submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the agency’s proposed Enforcement Policy Statement on Personalized Pricing, supporting the FTC’s efforts to address unfair or deceptive uses of consumers’ personal data to set individualized prices. 

In its comments, Travel Tech encouraged the FTC to focus its enforcement efforts on situations where companies use personal information to determine what a specific consumer is willing to pay and then adjust prices accordingly without appropriate transparency or consumer protections. LEARN MORE

Top Stories at the Intersection of Travel, Tech, and Public Policy 

McDonald’s and Walmart Are Part of the Widening Fray Over Surveillance Pricing

CNET, Omar Gallaga

October 7, 2026

The Federal Trade Commission has urged companies to be transparent about their pricing, but that may not be enough.

NY Times, Elaine Glusac

October 7, 2026

In the wake of the ultra-low-cost carrier’s closure, and with the cost of fuel and labor rising, domestic fares have become less competitive.

Ars Technica, Ryan Whitwam

October 1, 2026

The court acknowledges AI search comes with consequences, but it’s not an antitrust issue.

Net Influencer, Dragomir Stojkov

September 18, 2026

The non-binding resolution asks the European Commission and EU member states to establish the code of conduct alongside a legal definition of “Influencer Marketing” and a prohibition on unfair commercial practices, with the goal of tightening disclosure requirements around sponsored content.