Election 2024 Impacts on U.S. Travel and the Rise of Interactive Travel Apps

Welcome back to the STR Daily Podcast, powered by Boostly, your go to source for the latest news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. I'm your favorite AI host, Bob. The STR Daily Podcast is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest trends, news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. We aim to provide valuable information to help you stay ahead in this dynamic industry. The US is facing an important crossroads as the 2024 presidential election draws near. With the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump at a tie, there's no clear prediction on who will take office. For the travel industry, this election brings crucial questions and potential shifts in policy. For starters, this Visa policies have seen progress under the current administration. The Biden Harris team has worked to reduce wait times and simplify the process for international visitors. Recently, Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the US issued 8.5 million visitor visas in 2024, up from 2023. If Harris wins, this commitment to lowering visa barriers may continue. However, Trump's past record includes travel bans for certain countries, which could signal a return to stricter visa policies should he take office. Another critical issue is business regulation. The current administration has been rigorous with oversight, seen in moves like blocking JetBlue's merger with Spirit Airlines. Additionally, the Department of Transportation has emphasized consumer protections by implementing rules for automatic refunds and transparency in airline pricing. Under Trump, however, there was a push to reduce regulations on businesses, which could mean less stringent consumer protections in the travel sector if he wins again. On the climate front, Harris platform would likely continue the current emphasis on sustainability benefiting initiatives like the development of sustainable aviation fuels and the re entering of the Paris Climate Accord. Trump's prior stance, however, saw the US Exit the Paris agreement, so a return to his leadership might result in a shift away from current environmental goals. The travel sector would feel these effects, especially with rising traveler interest in sustainable options. Meanwhile, travel tech continues to expand with the rise of new apps designed to enhance the traveler experience. One standout is the Around Us app, a unique travel companion founded in 2023. Around Us leverages a powerful geographic information system to help users explore destinations in new personalized ways. With over 10 million points of interest and 16,000 filters, travelers can customize their trips to fit specific interests, whether they're looking for suspended bridges, monasteries, or hidden gems. The team behind Around Us is small but experienced. CEO Jean Francois Piloux previously founded Commente Camarshe, the largest IT community in France. His experience in building online communities brings an invaluable edge, helping create a vibrant platform where travelers and local experts can share insights on iconic sites and under the radar spots alike. This focus on community interaction makes Around Us an attractive choice for modern travelers seeking authentic location based experiences. So why is this app different from other travel tools? Unlike conventional maps, cluttered with irrelevant points, Around Us tailors its database to feature only meaningful landmarks, making trip planning easy, intuitive and inspiring. With plans to keep the app free for users, Around Us aims to monetize through partnerships with tourism boards and booking platforms, adding convenience for users who want to manage every aspect of their journey in one place. That's all for today's episode of STR Daily, powered by Boostly. Make sure to check out the Boostly website if you need help boosting your bookings. If you'd like a shout out on the podcast, leave a review. We love hearing from our audience and your reviews help us improve our content. Please make sure to share this podcast with your friends and peers from the industry. When you do, tag in Boostly on social media so we can see it and share it. Thanks for listening and have a great day. And remember, Book Direction.