- AHLA, partners urged a long-term USMCA extension.
- It strengthens cross-border hotel supply chains.
- North America remained a leading tourism market in 2025.
THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association and two other groups are calling for a long-term extension of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement after the 2026 World Cup. The agreement would support cross-border travel, investment and the North American hospitality industry.
In a joint statement, the organizations, also including Hotels Canada and Hoteles Por México, said hosting the World Cup across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. demonstrated the value of seamless travel between the three countries. Extending the USMCA would provide certainty for investment, strengthen supply chains, support workforce mobility and maintain North America's position as a business and leisure travel destination.
"A strong North American partnership provides certainty for businesses, helps keep travel affordable, and strengthens one of the world's most integrated travel economies," said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO. "As discussions continue on the future of the USMCA, we urge negotiators to build on that momentum by advancing a long-term extension of this landmark agreement."
Beth McMahon, Hotels Canada president and CEO, said the three countries can build on the relationships and economic activity generated by the tournament.
"Extending CUSMA will provide the long-term stability needed to strengthen travel, facilitate investment, and support cross-border supply chains to ensure North America remains the world's leading destination for business and leisure travel,” she said.
“Travel is one of North America's greatest shared economic strengths,” said Jorge Paoli Díaz, Hoteles Por México president. “By extending the USMCA, our three countries can continue to grow together – supporting jobs, expanding tourism, strengthening supply chains, and creating new opportunities for communities on both sides of every border.”
The organizations said the agreement strengthens cross-border supply chains that support hotel operations. Hotels rely on trade for food and beverage products, furnishings, linens and operating supplies to ensure access to essential goods while keeping costs manageable.
The groups also highlighted workforce mobility provisions under the agreement. Temporary business travel rules, including TN-1 visas for hotel managers, help hotels recruit experienced leaders, share expertise across borders and develop the workforce needed to meet demand.
North America by the numbers
North America remained one of the world's largest tourism markets in 2025, with the U.S. welcoming 68.3 million international visitors, Mexico 47.8 million and Canada 19.8 million, the statement said.
Mexico's tourism industry supports 5 million jobs, making it the country's largest employer of young people and second-largest employer of women. Hotels support more than 9 million jobs in the U.S. and 320,000 in Canada.
Cross-border travel generated billions of dollars in visitor spending in 2025. U.S. visitors spent $12.5 billion in Canada, while Mexican visitors spent $481 million. In the U.S., Canadian visitors generated $18.5 billion in spending and Mexican visitors $10 billion.
In Mexico, U.S. visitors generated nearly $18.6 billion in tourism revenue across all travel segments, while Canadian visitors generated nearly $4.3 billion, according to STARC. Overall, international visitor spending reached $176 billion in the U.S., $34.9 billion in Mexico and $23 billion in Canada.
A recent report by the AHLA found that Americans are changing how they travel this summer rather than canceling vacations because of higher costs. Many are opting for lower-cost alternatives to keep their travel plans.
