If you've ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of travel industry advocacy, ASTA Legislative Day 2026 offered a front-row seat.
Held in Washington, D.C., this annual travel advisor advocacy event brings industry professionals together with policymakers to discuss the issues shaping the future of travel. For Avoya Travel, the event provided an important opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and experience these conversations firsthand.
Key Takeaways from ASTA Legislative Day 2026
• ASTA (The American Society of Travel Advisors) plays a critical role in advocating for travel advisors at the policy level
• Nearly two-thirds of travel advisors are now independent contractors
• Policy and operational changes can directly impact advisor businesses
• Travel advisors remain a key distribution channel for suppliers
Advocacy Isn't Glamorous, But It Matters
Let's be honest. Legislation does not always sound exciting. But seeing it in action tells a different story!
For Avoya Travel leadership in attendance, the thing that made the biggest impression was the scale and complexity of the advocacy work happening behind the scenes.
One of the biggest takeaways from ASTA Legislative Day 2026 is just how much work goes into moving even a single policy forward. It's not quick, it's not simple, and it certainly doesn't happen overnight.
That effort matters because every policy has a direct impact on how advisors run their businesses. This is a good reminder that while advisors are focused on their clients, organizations like ASTA are focused on protecting the broader travel advisor community.
Key Travel Industry Conversations from ASTA Legislative Day
If there was a common thread throughout event, it centered around a few key themes. Here's what we noticed that kept coming up:
• The potential impact of a government shutdown on traveler confidence
• Ongoing concerns around TSA operations and travel flow
• Policy discussions including the ACPAC Modernization Act, Modern Worker Empowerment Act, and Airline Ticket Refunds Act
These topics may feel removed from day-to-day selling, but they directly shape the travel experience for both advisors and their clients.
Seeing these conversations unfold in real time provided a clearer perspective on how policy decisions directly impact travel advisors.
How the Travel Advisor Industry Is Changing
Take this in: Nearly two-thirds of the travel advisor industry is now made up of independent contractors.
Five years ago, that number was closer to 20 percent.
That's not just growth – that's a fundamental shift in how the travel advisor industry operates.
More advisors are building independent businesses, which increases flexibility, but also reinforces the need for strong support systems, advocacy, and industry representation.
Why Travel Advisors Still Matter to Suppliers
With so much focus on direct booking channels, it would be easy to assume travel advisors are becoming less central. But that's not what we're seeing.
Our key takeaway here from ASTA Legislative Day 2026? A significant portion of supplier business still flows through the travel advisor channel. Travel advisors continue to play a critical role in connecting travelers with the right experiences while also driving meaningful business for supplier partners.
What Travel Advisors Should Do Next
If there is one clear takeaway for advisors, it's this: advocacy matters.
ASTA is doing the work to represent and protect the travel advisor community, but that impact depends on continued support from the industry.
Another important takeaway is how policy differences can affect advisors directly. For example, advisors and airlines don't always operate under the same rules when it comes to consumer refunds.
Staying informed, supporting advocacy efforts, and understanding how policy impacts your business will be increasingly important moving forward.
How Avoya Is Applying These Insights
Being in the room at ASTA Legislative Day 2026 was not just about listening. It was about bringing those insights back and applying them in a meaningful way.
One of the clearest action items is the growing importance of supporting independent advisors in an evolving industry. As more advisors operate as independent contractors, the need for strong infrastructure, advocacy, and business support becomes even more critical.
At Avoya Travel, this reinforces a continued focus on:
• Providing advisors with the tools and support needed to run and grow their business
• Staying closely aligned with industry advocacy efforts that directly impact advisors
• Strengthening partnerships that help drive long-term success across the network
It also highlights the importance of staying connected to what is happening at both the policy and industry level, ensuring that advisors are not only informed, but positioned to adapt and succeed.
What This Means for Advisors Looking to Grow
For advisors looking to build and scale their business, staying informed on industry trends and advocacy efforts is more important than ever.
At Avoya Travel, independent travel advisors have access to the support, resources, and partnerships needed to navigate a changing industry while continuing to grow their business.
Whether you're new to the industry or looking to take your business to the next level, having the right network behind you can make all the difference. Learn more about becoming an advisor with Avoya Travel by filling out the form below . We'd love to share more about what we've learned and how it can help you succeed in this exciting industry.
