Sponsors (11)
The bill uses federal promotion to boost music tourism and related economic and cultural benefits for businesses and communities while risking local crowding and safety challenges and requiring federal spending that could displace other priorities.
Small businesses (hotels, restaurants, venues) will likely see increased customers and revenue because the federal government will actively promote U.S. music tourism domestically and internationally.
Rural and culturally rich communities will attract more visitors and economic activity because the Assistant Secretary must emphasize promoting rural, cultural, and ecological music destinations.
U.S. and international travelers will gain greater awareness of U.S. music attractions and events due to a statutory definition and active government promotion of music tourism, potentially increasing cultural exchange and attendance.
Taxpayers and federal budget priorities could be affected because federal resources spent on music tourism promotion may divert funds from other programs or raise taxpayer costs.
Residents and local governments in small or rural host communities will face increased crowding, noise, and strain on local infrastructure and services from higher visitor volumes.
Event attendees, transportation workers, and local emergency services could see higher security and crowd-safety risks if larger, more international audiences are drawn to music events without sufficient safety planning.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Adds music tourism to Commerce's travel promotion duties, requires identification/promotion of music sites/events, defines "music tourism," and mandates reports within 1 year and biennially.
Introduced January 22, 2025 by Diana Harshbarger · Last progress April 29, 2025
Adds "music tourism" to the Department of Commerce’s travel and tourism promotion duties, directs the Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism to identify and promote U.S. locations and events important to music tourism, and requires regular reporting on related goals and activities. It also creates a statutory definition of "music tourism" covering travel to music-related attractions and attendance at music festivals, concerts, or live music events. Requires the Assistant Secretary to coordinate with federal agencies to promote music tourism (alongside rural, cultural, ecological, and sports/recreation destinations), submit a report within one year of enactment, and provide biennial updates thereafter to relevant Congressional committees.