Music Tourism Initiative Included In Federal Funding Bill

The stopgap funding bill that will keep the federal government operating after Dec. 20 includes a proposal aimed at goosing music-based tourism.

The continuing resolution, which will prevent a government shutdown, introduced by U.S. House leaders Tuesday night includes not only a version of the TICKET Act, but also the American Music Tourism Act.

The bill would create a framework for the Department of Commerce to promote venues, festivals and promoters that are “important to music tourism and facilitate and promote” travel and tourism, both domestic and international, to those sites and events.

It would require a biennial report from the department to Congress on the progress and programs that serve that goal.

“Independent venues and festivals are the lifeblood of local communities, not just as cultural hubs but also as powerful engines of economic activity. They attract millions of tourists annually, fueling spending at local hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments, while creating jobs and opportunities in every community across America,” National Independent Venue Association Executive Director Stephen Parker said in a statement. “By commissioning the first national strategy and focus on music tourism, this legislation ensures that these spaces continue to thrive, offering diverse programming and unforgettable experiences to audiences from all over the world.”

The CR must pass the House and Senate and be signed by President Joe Biden before midnight Eastern time Dec. 20 to stave off the government shutdown; it would fund the federal government through mid-March 2025.