American Music Tourism Act Introduced in Congress With Major Industry Support
The American Music Tourism Act, a bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), aims to boost both domestic and international music tourism across the United States.
Tourists taking selfie together
The bill proposes key changes to the existing Visit America Act by requiring the Commerce Department's assistant secretary for travel and tourism to:
- Identify significant music-related locations and events across the U.S.
- Promote domestic and international tourism to these sites
- Submit annual reports to Congress on promotional activities and achievements
Music tourism is specifically defined as travel for:
- Attending live performances
- Visiting historic or modern music-related attractions
- Exploring museums, studios, and venues of all sizes
The legislation has garnered support from major industry organizations, including:
- The Recording Academy
- The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America)
- NIVA (National Independent Venue Association)
NIVA executive director Stephen Parker emphasizes the bill's importance in recognizing music tourism as an economic driver, noting its potential impact on both rural communities and urban centers through increased investment and visitor attraction.
This initiative aligns with other recent legislative efforts in the music industry, including ongoing discussions about the No Fakes Act and AI media regulations, which have involved testimonies from industry leaders and artists.
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Band performing on Jimmy Kimmel.