American Music Tourism Act: Feds Must Now Promote Travel to US Music Hubs and Festivals

The American Music Tourism Act of 2025 is straightforward: it tells the federal government to get serious about promoting music tourism, both at home and abroad. Essentially, this bill updates the job description for the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism, adding a specific mandate to use music as a way to boost travel revenue.

The New Gig: Promoting the American Soundtrack

Under this Act (Sec. 2), the Assistant Secretary now has to actively identify and promote U.S. locations and events important for music tourism. Think of it as the government formally recognizing that the birthplace of jazz, the Grand Ole Opry, and major music festivals are economic drivers. This isn't just about attracting international visitors; it’s also about boosting domestic travel to these musical spots. For someone running a small coffee shop near a historic music venue in Memphis or Seattle, this means the federal government is now tasked with helping bring more foot traffic—and tourist dollars—to their area.

Defining the Beat: What is Music Tourism?

Before you can promote something, you have to define it. The bill adds a formal definition of "music tourism" to existing federal law (Sec. 2). It means traveling to a state or local area specifically to visit music-related attractions—like museums, recording studios, or historic venues—or to attend a music festival, concert, or other live event. This clarity is important because it means federal resources must now be directed toward these specific activities, potentially unlocking support for smaller, culturally significant sites that haven't traditionally been included in broader tourism campaigns.

Global Stage, Local Impact

Beyond domestic promotion, the Assistant Secretary is also tasked with making U.S. travel more competitive internationally. This includes highlighting rural areas and unique spots rich in cultural heritage (like historic music trails or Indigenous cultural sites) as prime locations for international gatherings. They must specifically promote international travel to U.S. sports, recreation, and music events. For example, if a major international music festival happens in a rural area, this bill requires the Commerce Department to help market that event overseas. This could bring significant revenue to communities that don't usually see large international tourism flows.

Show Your Work: New Reporting Requirements

Accountability is built into the Act. The Assistant Secretary must submit a report to Congress—specifically the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee—one year after the bill becomes law, and then every two years after that (Sec. 2). This report must detail their activities, achievements, and any weaknesses found in meeting these new domestic and international travel goals. This means the public, through their representatives, will get regular updates on whether the government is actually delivering on its music tourism promises, ensuring the mandate doesn't just become a bureaucratic footnote.