Six travel and agency associations have united to lobby governments around the world to lift travel bans as quickly as possible and provide financial support to the sector.
The calls come from the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), Association of South African Travel Agencies (ASATA), Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA) and World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA).
Collectively they represent hundreds of thousands of people who work at travel agencies and related businesses around the world.
Their statement said: “When elected officials make public policy decisions in the interest of public health, those governments have an obligation to provide financial resources to those industries and individuals most affected by their decisions.
“Closing borders and implementing new restrictions affects untold millions of employees in the travel and tourism industry.
“It also is putting already vulnerable businesses at further risk from ever recovering, while government revenues continue to be eroded due to the loss of economic activity from the industry, which represents one in every ten jobs globally according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.”
They warn that the addition of new border measures has significant economic impacts on travel and tourism businesses that may not add additional community protection.
The associations also highlight the fact that Canada has pledged support for travel-reliant businesses until May 2022, and urge other global leaders to follow its lead.
Furthermore, they say governments around the world must prioritise the global distribution of vaccines while continuing to support the freedom of movement using the scientifically tested and sensible measures – “masking, enhanced sanitation protocols, reasonable testing requirements and now, vaccination credentials”.
They conclude: “Loosening restrictions on fully-vaccinated travellers for entry into the US and other markets should continue to be a top priority, but more needs to be done to ensure that travel-reliant businesses have access to immediate relief when government action is the direct cause of economic hardship.”
Their pleas echo the letter sent by chief executives of the UK’s leading airlines to the British prime minister, urging him to remove the latest travel restrictions ahead of the busy Christmas season.
Picture by Shine Nucha/Shutterstock
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