NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) released the following statements after the Senate passed their American Music Tourism Act to support and increase music tourism for both domestic and international visitors: 

“The Volunteer State is home to so many iconic musical landmarks for tourists to experience – from Graceland in Memphis to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge,” said Senator Blackburn. “Music tourism has such a positive impact on Tennessee’s economy, and we need to ensure that fans from all over the world can continue to celebrate our state’s rich history of music for generations to come. The Senate’s passage of the American Music Tourism Act gets us closer to that by promoting and supporting the fast-growing music tourism industry.”

“Colorado’s vibrant music scene attracts artists and fans from around the world,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Our bipartisan bill will help our local music venues thrive and expand.”

BACKGROUND

• Music tourism – 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 – is a vital industry for American culture and an economic driver for our communities.
• Music tourism has emerged as a top travel trend, with the market forecasted to reach $11.3 billion in revenue by 2032.
• The United States, which boasts one of world’s largest music industries that generates over $43 billion in revenue each year, is one of the main beneficiaries of this international interest in music tourism.
• The Commerce Department’s Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism is uniquely positioned to identify and promote sites of musical significance.

THE AMERICAN MUSIC TOURISM ACT

• The American Music Tourism Act would leverage the existing framework within the Department of Commerce to highlight and promote music tourism in the United States. 
• Specifically, this bill would require:
• The Assistant Secretary to implement a plan to support and increase music tourism for both domestic and international visitors; and
• A report to Congress on the successes and vulnerabilities of the Assistant Secretary’s goals to increase travel and tourism. 

ENDORSEMENTS

• The American Music Tourism Act is endorsed by the Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, Nashville Songwriters Association International, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, National Music Publishers Association, Society of Composers and Lyricists, Live Nation Entertainment, National Independent Venue Association, Broadcast Music Inc., American Alliance of Museums, Airbnb, Overton Park Shell, Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Memphis Tourism, Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, and Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

CO-SPONORS

• The American Music Tourism Act is co-sponsored by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn,), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).

RELATED

• Blackburn, Hickenlooper Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Increase Music Tourism In U.S.

• Blackburn Applauds Senate’s Unanimous Passage of Her Resolution Honoring 100 Years of the Grand Ole Opry

Click here for bill text.