The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has announced that the American Music Tourism Act has been incorporated into Congress's latest omnibus spending bill, marking a significant development for music venues across the United States.

The Act, if passed, would require the Commerce Department's assistant secretary for travel and tourism to identify and promote key music tourism locations and events throughout the country. This inclusion builds upon the existing Visit America Act, expanding its scope to encompass music venues specifically.

NIVA Executive Director Stephen Parker emphasized the potential impact: "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."

The bipartisan legislation appears alongside other music industry measures in the 1,547-page spending bill, including the TICKET Act, which addresses ticketing transparency and refund policies. While the overall spending bill faces scrutiny from lawmakers, the American Music Tourism Act component has received broad support from industry stakeholders, including the RIAA.

The legislation aims to create the first national strategy focused on music tourism, potentially providing significant support for independent venues and local economies across the United States. If passed, this initiative would help ensure these cultural spaces continue to thrive while offering diverse programming and experiences to audiences worldwide.

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