September 13, 2026 to September 19, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning hotels, restaurants, casinos, gaming operations, event and sports venues, cruise lines, theme parks, ski resorts, outdoor spaces, RV and caravan parks, and all hospitality, travel and tourism professionals. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track GR news in adjacent industries related? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Arts & Culture. Also consider subscribing to our Hospitality & Retail - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Trump Administration Expands Scrutiny and Coordination in H-1B Visa Program

On September 18, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order focused on curbing abuses within the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. The order cites documented cases where companies have used H-1B workers to replace American employees at lower wages and cites associated risks such as national security and wage suppression. The measure mandates interagency coordination among the Departments of State, Labor, Homeland Security, Commerce, Education, and the Small Business Administration to improve enforcement of statutory requirements. The Secretary of Labor has been directed to review labor condition applications for possible violations. Federal agencies are also authorized to implement rules and policies to uphold program integrity. The document clarifies that it is for administrative guidance and creates no enforceable right for any party.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Restriction on Entry of Certain H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers Extended

President Trump extended Proclamation 10973, first issued in September 2025, for another 12 months as of September 18, 2026. This action reinforces restrictions on the entry of certain H-1B workers, particularly those whose applications are unsupported by a required $100,000 payment. The underlying policy, aimed at reducing wage suppression and curtailing displacement of American workers by large IT outsourcing firms, has resulted in a 92% drop in H-1B registrations by such firms and a 97% reduction in consular processing requests. The proclamation directs the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to continue prioritizing high-skilled, higher-paid workers and mandates further review to assess the necessity of extending the restrictions. Exceptions remain for certain worker categories, and compliance measures are to be maintained.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Federal Efforts Target Expansion of Outdoor Recreation, Hunting, and Angling

Executive actions issued by President Trump on September 17, 2026, direct federal agencies to expand access to public lands for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The orders seek to revise access policies, encourage voluntary land access agreements, and reform infrastructure to address regulatory barriers. Specific provisions allow non-endangered species hunting on designated federal sites, clarify funding for hunter education programs, support state initiatives for veterans and youth engagement, and boost support for wild game meat donation programs. Federal agencies are instructed to prioritize inter-governmental and public-private partnerships for habitat management and population restoration.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Administration Modernizes Federal Fisheries and Saltwater Recreational Management

A September 17 executive order focused on the U.S. saltwater fishing sector directs a review of guidelines under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, with the Secretary of Commerce to modernize fisheries management and data collection infrastructure. The document calls for an update to regulations and a move toward electronic data reporting, addressing deficiencies in NOAA’s Marine Recreational Information Program. The initiative also seeks to restore depleted fish stocks, expedite the creation of artificial reefs, and coordinate federal-state partnerships for improved fisheries management. New interagency task forces are to be established to coordinate next steps.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

CDC Extends Ebola Traveler Screening and Monitoring Protocols at U.S. Airports

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted a request to continue the 2026 Ebola Entry Screening, Monitoring, and Traveler Feedback program, following a revision of OMB Control No. 0920-1469. Since May 2026, CDC and the Department of Homeland Security have been rerouting travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan to designated U.S. airports for health screening. Screening includes assessments to identify individuals requiring further medical evaluation, quarantine, or follow-up with state and local health authorities. Airlines have also been instructed to provide feedback via designated surveys, and CDC has coordinated with local health departments to monitor travelers post-arrival during a 21-day observation period. The current request seeks to maintain authorization for these activities, with no additional cost to respondents beyond time spent.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Caviar and champagne: Air France's luxury shift helps ride out Iran war impact: Air France pivots further into luxury offerings to offset revenue disruptions from instability in the Middle East.
• Flight attendants reveal 90-second 'hotel room autopsy' that could save your life: Flight attendants describe safety techniques travelers use to assess hotel room security upon check-in.
• These European Cities Say They Have Too Many Tourists. Why Are Their Airports Expanding?: Expansion plans at major European airports draw scrutiny amid ongoing concerns about overtourism.
• Wellness-Focused Real Estate Is Betting on a Boom: Developers increase investments in wellness-oriented properties to capture growing demand for health-focused accommodations.

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