American Music Tourism Act Tasks Feds with Promoting Concerts, Festivals, and Music Sites

Congress is looking to put American music destinations on the map—officially. The American Music Tourism Act of 2025 amends the existing Visit America Act, directing the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to actively identify and promote travel to U.S. spots significant for music tourism. Think visiting iconic studios, hitting up music museums, catching festivals, or seeing live shows – the bill defines 'music tourism' to cover all of these.

Tuning Up the Travel Strategy

So, what's changing on the ground? This bill essentially adds 'music promoter' to the Assistant Secretary's job description, alongside their existing duties. It specifically tasks them with boosting domestic travel to music-related locations and events. It also broadens their international promotion duties under Section 605 of the Visit America Act. Beyond just music, they're now explicitly directed to help bring international travelers for big conferences, steer them towards rural and culturally unique areas, and promote U.S. sports events – with music tourism now officially added to that international push list.

From Policy to Playlist Pilgrimage

How might this play out? Imagine seeing more targeted campaigns encouraging trips to places steeped in music history, like Nashville's Grand Ole Opry or the jazz clubs of New Orleans. It could mean more visibility for major festivals like Coachella or Bonnaroo in international travel markets, or perhaps support for smaller, regional festivals trying to draw visitors. The goal seems to be leveraging America's diverse music scenes – from blues landmarks in Mississippi to indie venues in Seattle – as a bigger draw for both domestic and international tourists. This federal push could translate into more coordinated marketing efforts highlighting these specific attractions.

Keeping Tabs on the Tour Bus

To make sure this isn't just noise, the bill amends Section 605(f) of the Visit America Act to add a new layer of accountability. Starting one year after the bill passes, the Assistant Secretary has to report to Congress every two years. This report needs to cover the progress, achievements, and any roadblocks encountered in meeting both domestic and international travel goals, including the new music tourism focus. It's basically a check-in to see if this new mandate is actually hitting the right notes and boosting travel as intended.