On September 4, U.S. Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) joined U.S. Travel Association and more than 20 Orlando-area travel and business leaders for a Travel Works for America Power Hour at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

The group discussed topics critical to the local and national industry, including: the need to lower wait times for first-time visitor visas applicants, currently facing 260+ day wait times on average in key inbound markets; reducing wait times for travelers at U.S. Customs and gateway airports; the need to permanently expand the H-2B worker visa program—especially for communities across the Orlando region which need temporary workers to support small and seasonal business.

The group also discussed the work ahead, specifically at the federal level. This included full funding for the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce as well as opportunities for Congress to modernize travel through another major infrastructure bill.