The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has announced that the American Music Tourism Act has been included in Congress's new omnibus spending bill. This bipartisan legislation aims to boost music tourism across the United States.

Key aspects of the American Music Tourism Act include:

• Requires the Commerce Department to identify important music tourism locations and events
• Promotes domestic travel and tourism to music venues and events
• Expands the existing Visit America Act to include music venues

The legislation is designed to support independent venues and festivals, which serve as both cultural hubs and economic drivers in local communities. According to NIVA executive director Stephen Parker, these venues "attract millions of tourists annually, fueling spending at local hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments, while creating jobs and opportunities."

The bill appears alongside other music industry legislation in the spending package, including:

• The TICKET Act (passed by House in May)
• New refund requirements for ticketing platforms
• Proposed speculative ticketing regulations

While the broader spending bill faces scrutiny over its numerous provisions and expenditures, the American Music Tourism Act maintains bipartisan support. If passed, it would establish the first national strategy focused specifically on music tourism, helping ensure these cultural spaces continue to thrive and offer diverse programming to global audiences.

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