How the One Big Beautiful Bill impacts Travel Agents and Hotels | Antravia

How the One Big Beautiful Bill will affect Travel professionals

By Antravia – July 22, 2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduces sweeping changes that will reshape the economics of inbound travel to the United States. From higher visa fees to cuts in tourism marketing and a new remittance tax, these measures will directly affect travel agents, hoteliers, and suppliers. Here is what Antravia thinks you need to know and how you should prepare.

1. A $250 Visa Integrity Fee for Non-Immigrant Visas

From October 1, 2025, a USD$ 250 Visa Integrity Fee will apply to nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourist, work, and student categories. Travelers using the Visa Waiver Program are not affected.

For many international travelers, visa costs will nearly triple. Travelers from India, for example, will see fees rise from about USD$ 185 to roughly USD$ 472. While refunds may be possible for compliant travelers after departure, the upfront cost will discourage some long-haul visitors, especially during peak events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Travel agents can help offset the impact by bundling visa assistance services into their packages and communicating these costs clearly. Hotels that depend heavily on inbound guests should monitor booking patterns closely and consider strategic promotions to keep occupancy steady.

2. Brand USA funding cut from $100 Million to $20 Million

Brand USA, the government-backed body responsible for promoting the United States to international markets, will see its funding reduced by 80 percent through fiscal year 2027. In 2024, Brand USA generated an estimated $23.37 in visitor spending for every dollar invested and drove $5.9 billion in incremental visitor spending.

The sharp reduction in funding will reduce the visibility of U.S. destinations abroad, which will especially hurt secondary cities and smaller operators. Travel agents and hoteliers will need to step up their own marketing, strengthen partnerships, and develop targeted storytelling to maintain demand.

3. A 1% Remittance Tax starting January 1, 2026

One of the more overlooked changes is the introduction of a 1% excise tax on cash-based international remittances of more than $10,000, effective for transfers made after December 31, 2025.

This tax applies when money is sent abroad using cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks. Transfers sent via bank wire, U.S. issued debit or credit cards, or digital platforms tied to U.S. accounts will not be taxed.

The tax is expected to generate about USD$10 billion over ten years, but the cost will largely fall on individuals and businesses that rely on cash-based transfer methods. For travel agents paying overseas suppliers or DMCs, this will mean higher costs if they use money orders or other non-bank instruments.

The best way to avoid the tax is to move all payments to wire transfers, U.S.linked cards, or secure digital platforms like Airwallex, Wise, or Roam. Agents can also build modest FX and remittance buffers into client quotes to protect margins.

4. Major investments in Air Travel infrastructure

The OBBB allocates USD$12 billion to modernize air traffic control systems and expand Customs and Border Protection capacity. These investments are designed to improve traveler processing times, reduce delays, and upgrade airport facilities.

Hotels and event venues near airports or in key gateway cities can leverage these improvements as a marketing advantage. Highlighting faster transfer times, smoother check-in experiences, and upgraded facilities can attract both leisure and business travelers.

5. Increased Immigration enforcement and perception issues

The bill also allocates more than USD$150 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE operations and border security. While these measures are not targeted at tourists, the perception of stricter enforcement may discourage some international travelers from visiting the United States.

Travel agents and hotels can mitigate this by emphasizing supportive services, transparent cancellation policies, and personalized assistance to make clients feel welcome and confident in their travel plans.

Key Takeaways for Travel Agents and Hoteliers

The One Big Beautiful Bill OBBB introduces multiple changes that will affect how travel businesses operate. Higher visa fees are likely to cause hesitation among long-haul travelers, making it essential to communicate costs clearly and, where possible, bundle visa support into travel services.

The deep cuts to Brand USA funding will likely reduce international demand unless businesses step in to market themselves more directly. Travel agents and hoteliers who collaborate on targeted campaigns can help fill that gap.

The new 1% remittance tax poses a direct cost for those sending funds overseas via cash-based channels. Moving to bank wires or digital transfers, and including FX and remittance buffers in pricing, can help preserve margins.

Hotels and venues in major travel hubs can benefit from infrastructure upgrades by promoting easier access and smoother airport experiences. Finally, while heightened immigration enforcement may make some travelers cautious, agents and hotels can maintain demand by focusing on reassurance, clarity, and strong client service.

Antravia works with travel agents and hoteliers to model these impacts, strengthen pricing and cash flow, and ensure your business remains profitable as these policies take effect.

References and further reading

1. Condé Nast Traveler – Understanding the Visa Integrity Fee
   https://www.cntraveler.com/story/new-us-visa-integrity-fee-everything-to-know

2. India Times – Visa Cost Impact
   https://indiatimes.com/news/us-visa-fees-to-nearly-triple-in-2026-with-new-250-integrity-fee-non-waivable-surcharges-under-immigration-compliance-law-663502.html

3. National Law Review – Details for Employers and Travelers
   https://natlawreview.com/article/250-visa-integrity-fee-what-employers-and-foreign-nationals-need-know-about-latest

4. Congress.gov – Brand USA Funding Reductions
   https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1

5. Capital Analytics – Funding Cuts and Tourism Impact
   https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/trump-bill-funds-air-travel-overhaul-cuts-tourism-budget/

6. Holland & Knight – International Tax Changes
   https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/07/a-look-at-the-international-tax-changes-in-the-obbb-act

7. Steptoe LLP – Cross-Border Tax Analysis
   https://www.steptoe.com/en/news-publications/international-tax-changes-in-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act.html

8. BIPC – Simplified Overview of One Big Beautiful Bill
   https://www.bipc.com/one-big%2C-beautiful-bill-.-.-.-simplified

9. Fox News – Revenue Impact of Remittance Tax
   https://www.foxnews.com/politics/remittance-tax-one-big-beautiful-bill-can-further-discourage-illegal-immigration-says-expert

10. The Independent – Visa Impact on World Cup Visitors
    https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/us-visa-integrity-fee-tourists-visitors-trump-b2792747.html