What a U.S. TikTok ban could mean for travel industry
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday in lopsided fashion that would compel TikTok parent company ByteDance to sell the popular video app to non-Chinese owners within six months or see it banned in the United States.
The lawmakers — plus President Joe Biden, who has said he would sign the bill — contend that China’s relationship with ByteDance poses a national security threat.
The prospect of TikTok’s 170 million users in the United States being barred from the site could have far-reaching ramifications for travel companies that seek to build brand recognition among travelers through the site’s wildly popular short videos.
The travel industry has embraced the site. Among the companies with big TikTok followings are Ryanair with 2.2 million, Expedia and Trip.com with 1.5 million and Booking.com with 1.2 million. When Berlin-based GetYourGuide posted a job listing for a TikTok creator, it drew so much interest the digital travel experience marketplace pulled it from LinkedIn.
The legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where some members have spoken out against it. And even if the bill becomes law, legal challenges are likely.
What would a TikTok ban mean for travel companies?
