ASTA has sent a letter to vice president-elect Mike Pence
and his transition team detailing the Society and its position on key issues,
including travel to Cuba.
In the letter, ASTA president and CEO Zane Kerby said the
Society hopes the new administration keeps in place the Obama administration's
loosened regulations on travel to Cuba, and hopes for an end to Cuba travel
restrictions altogether.
"While we have no illusions about the intensity of
feelings the issue of U.S.-Cuba relations brings about in some quarters, ASTA
has long believed that Americans ought to be allowed to travel across the globe
without restriction, where they can act as ambassadors of freedom and American
values abroad," Kerby wrote. "As such, we view the administration's
recent actions on Cuba travel as a step in the right direction and support
lifting the 'travel ban' once and for all."
ASTA's letter also said lifting the ban would bring economic
benefits to the travel industry. If the ban were to be lifted, ASTA estimated
an additional 2 million Americans would visit the country by 2019.
In addition to travel to Cuba, the Society pinpointed
several other topics, including the Department of Labor's new overtime rules
that will go into effect on Dec. 1.
The rules increase the salary level under which workers
qualify for overtime pay from $23,660 to $47,476. ASTA has expressed concerns
with the rules in the past, and asked that the new administration delay or
block the new rules, as well as remove travel agencies from a so-called "blacklist"
that bars agencies from qualifying for a retail exemption to overtime rules.
ASTA also informed Pence and his transition team of its
position on the Department of Transportation's proposed rules of requiring
agents with annual revenue of $100 million or more to adopt additional customer
service standards (for instance, giving clients an option to hold a quoted
reservation for 24 hours). The Society asks that the proposals affecting
agencies to be set aside.
The Society also voiced its support of the Visa Waiver
Program and requested the new administration avoid making any major changes to
the program.
"As you proceed to the next stages of the transition,
we would welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues and other travel
industry priorities with you and the President-Elect's staff," Kerby said.