The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee recently approved bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to support music tourism, which encompasses both the act of visiting sites important to the history of American music culture and the act of traveling for current concerts and music festivals.
The American Music Tourism Act of 2024, S. 4212, which Sen. Blackburn sponsored in April alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO), now heads to the full chamber for consideration.
“Tennesseans know a thing or two about the positive impact that music tourism has on the economy and culture,” Sen. Blackburn said on Wednesday. “This bipartisan legislation promotes music tourism’s fast-growing industry and ensures fans from all over the world can celebrate the rich history of music for generations to come.”
Music tourism has emerged as a top travel trend, a market that Future Market Insights Inc. forecasts will hit $11.3 billion in revenue by 2032.
If enacted, S. 4212 would leverage the existing framework within the U.S. Department of Commerce to highlight and promote music tourism in the United States by requiring the Assistant Secretary to implement a plan to support and increase music tourism for both domestic and international visitors, as well as a report to Congress on the successes and vulnerabilities of the Assistant Secretary’s goals to increase travel and tourism.
“Coloradans are back to filling big event spaces and enjoying good music. But it’s up to us to support our local venues,” said Sen. Hickenlooper. “Our bipartisan American Music Tourism Act is one step closer to doing so.”
The bill is supported by the Recording Academy, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the Recording Industry Association of America, Live Nation Entertainment, the National Independent Venue Association, the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Memphis Tourism, the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, the Overton Park Shell, Airbnb, and Eventbrite.