Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

U.S. Travel Industry, Congress Continue Push for Removal of Inbound Testing Rule

by Daniel McCarthy / April 13, 2022
U.S. Travel Industry, Congress Continue Push for Removal of Inbound Testing Rule

The U.S.'s inbound testing rule is considered to be the biggest drag on travel's recovery. Photo: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com. 

 


This week, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) continued its work, praising a push by a bipartisan group of 16 members of Congress to exempt vaccinated travelers from the inbound testing requirement, a rule that has been dragging on the industry’s post-COVID recovery.

That group includes Reps. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Ken Buck (R-CO), Jim Costa (D-CA), Harold Rogers (R-KY), Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus Co-Chair Dina Titus (D-NV), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Susie Lee (D-NV), Caucus Co-Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), John Katko (R-NY), Mark Amodei (R-NV), David Valadao (R-CA), and Larry Bucshon (R-IN).

The group’s letter, which can be seen in full here, was written directly to President Joe Biden and concedes that the decision to put the inbound testing rule in place in January 2021 was understandable.

However, the requirement is now causing “a number of challenges to our constituents…whose livelihoods depend on a fully functioning international travel system.”

“As we enter the third year of the pandemic and reflect on how far the science related to COVID-19 mitigation has advanced since the order was first put in place, we respectfully request that fully vaccinated travelers be exempted from the order.

“Exempting fully vaccinated travelers, including almost 215 million Americans, from the order would be consistent with the scientific consensus that widespread vaccinations are the single most important element of the fight against COVID-19 while allowing the travel industry’s recovery to begin in earnest. It would also incentivize those who aren’t vaccinated to consider becoming so,” the letter reads.

The testing requirement has long been seen by industry experts as the biggest hurdle in the way of travel’s recovery. Speaking to TMR last month, Lauri Reishus, the president and CEO of the Airlines Reporting Corporation, said that the testing requirement has a “dampening effect on people’s desire to travel” because of concerns about not being allowed in the U.S. if they do test positive, and because of having to secure a testing site abroad.

“It does just give you that sense of uncertainty and then one more thing to have to do when your coming preparing to come back to the U.S.,” she said.

Eben Peck, the vice president of advocacy for ASTA, wrote in his own statement that ASTA commends the push from Congress.

“We commend Congressman Correa and all of his colleagues who signed onto this important letter for recognizing that the CDC’s pre-departure testing rule is the single biggest barrier to the full recovery of the international travel system on which so many of their constituents in the travel industry rely,” he said.  

“Making the commonsense change these legislators are calling for is widely supported by stakeholders throughout the industry and would match changes our main outbound markets have recently made, including the U.K., EU, Canada, and Australia. It would also supercharge the recovery of the travel agency business, as some of the more than 215 million Americans who have been putting off international travel because of this rule call their travel advisor and get ready to go.”

ASTA’s statement COMESA a couple of months after another letter to the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, Jeffrey Zients, from it and other travel organizations including Airlines for America, AHLA, GBTA, IATA, and the U.S. Travel Association. That letter pushed for the removal of the testing requirement for fully vaccinated U.S. citizens.

  13
  0
Related Articles
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Drops All COVID-19 Requirements for Vaccinated Guests
The Beacon: In a Critical Year, Legislative Day Exceeds Expectations
ASTA To Hold 2023 Convention in Puerto Rico, Moves to Earlier in Year
Staffing Remains the Biggest Issue for the Travel Industry
Legislative Day 2022: Two Big Priorities for ASTA’s ‘Most Significant Day’
Despite Inflation and Rising Costs, Travel Is Still Top-of-Mind for U.S. Consumers
It's Official: U.S. Drops COVID-19 Testing Rule for Inbound Travelers
Report: U.S. to End COVID-19 Air Travel Testing Requirement
Travel Advisors Continue Push for Removal of U.S.’s Inbound Testing Requirement
ASTA Opens Applications for its 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year Award

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. Princess Cruises Forced to Adjust Alaska Sailings After White Pass Rail Road Decision
  2. River Cruise Lines Prepare to Deal with Low Water Levels on the Rhine
  3. Updated Cruise Line COVID-19 Vaccination, Booster, & Testing Requirements
  4. Water Levels on the Rhine Are Expected to Reach Critical Levels This Week
  5. The Ten Unwritten Rules of Travel
  6. Here Is Some of the New CDC Guidance on Cruise Ship Travel

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Updated Cruise Line COVID-19 Vaccination, Booster, & Testing Requirements
  2. River Cruise Lines Prepare to Deal with Low Water Levels on the Rhine
  3. Southwest Airlines’ Flight Credits Will No Longer Expire
  4. Viking Cruises' New Octantis Is So Much More than Just a Cruise Ship
  5. New DOT Rulemaking Goes Off the Rails on Refunds
  6. Princess Cruises Forced to Adjust Alaska Sailings After White Pass Rail Road Decision
TMR THIS WEEK
Sponsored by Intrepid Travel
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=9909dea1-a71c-ed11-b00b-005056a8720b&Width=350&Height&250

Antarctica: Truly Beyond

For advisors who do not regularly book this type of travel, it might seem like an intimidating task. But with the right training and support, any advisor can become a polar travel specialist. 

Read More...
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

TMR Recommendations
Daniel Zim
Zim Travel Law, PLLC. Demystifying Complexity with Down to Earth Advice. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Rodney Gould
Rodney E. Gould concentrates in travel and tour-operator litigation and regularly counsels travel-related entities worldwide.
hbar
Tom Carpenter
Carpenter Law Office - Representing clients in the travel and tourism industries. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Top Stories
Travel Intent Remains High Despite Air Chaos, Inflation
Travel Intent Remains High Despite Air Chaos, Inflation

Flight delay and cancellation insurance claims are up 30% over the past three months, but this isn't stopping Americans from traveling. 

Read...
Headquarter Happenings: Virtuoso Travel Week Highlights Luxury's Lead in Travel's Recovery
Headquarter Happenings: Virtuoso Travel Week Highlights Luxury's Lead in Travel's Recovery

This year’s Travel Week came at a time of increasing optimism, with demand roaring back, and optimism for the advisor community at the highest level since pre-pandemic.

Read...
The Ten Unwritten Rules of Travel
The Ten Unwritten Rules of Travel

Travel advisors on the “rules” or “standards” that should never be broken.

Read...
New DOT Rulemaking Goes Off the Rails on Refunds
New DOT Rulemaking Goes Off the Rails on Refunds

"In my long career dealing with the regulatory side of the travel industry, I have never seen anything quite like the latest proposed regulations from the DOT regarding ticket refunds."

Read...
What’s Trending in Consumer Media: Wedding Registries, Retirees Take Travel Jobs, & More
What’s Trending in Consumer Media: Wedding Registries, Retirees Take Travel Jobs, & More

Here are five stories to keep travel advisors informed and entertained for August.  

Read...
What’s Holding Some Suppliers Back from Advance Commission Payments?
What’s Holding Some Suppliers Back from Advance Commission Payments?

There are valid reasons holding many suppliers back from offering pre-travel commission payments. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
lux cruise outlook
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/J_wmGlymwpc/0.jpg
Video: A Quick Intro to Instagram Reels for Travel Advisors
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy