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The unofficial summer travel season begins in a few weeks, and travel associations are warning that the federally required inbound pre-departure testing could continue to have a damaging impact on the likelihood of international travelers visiting the United States. A recent survey conducted by Morning Consult for US Travel Association (USTA) found that these regulations remain a major barrier to economic recovery.
“Before the pandemic, travel was the second-largest US industry export and generated a positive trade balance of $53 billion,” said US Travel Association President & CEO Roger Dow. “Inbound travel is critical to reducing the overall trade deficit, but the pre-departure testing requirement remains an unnecessary hurdle to regaining visitors and competing for global tourism dollars.
USTA President & CEO Roger Dow
A survey of vaccinated international travelers in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, and India found that nearly half of respondents (47 percent) who are unlikely to travel abroad in the next 12 months cited pre-departure testing requirements as a deterrent, while 71 percent said they prioritize traveling to destinations without cumbersome entry requirements.
Dow remains hopeful that the Biden administration could relax these requirements and accelerate recovery for travel businesses. Based on survey data, 46 percent of international travelers would be more likely to visit the US if pre-departure testing requirements for vaccinated adults were lifted. Securing just a fraction of those numbers could translate to an additional half-million visitors each month and $2 billion in valuable US travel exports, supporting nearly 40,000 domestic jobs, according to USTA.
“While other countries with similar case, vaccination, and hospital rates have removed their testing requirements and have begun rebuilding their travel economies, the US is at a competitive disadvantage and risks a prolonged period of recovery,” said Dow. Currently, inbound international travel to the US is on track to recover to 2019 levels in 2024.
With the lifting of many previous mandates across the travel spectrum, including the mask mandate on domestic flights, this inbound testing requirement remains an exception.
Visit ustravel.org for more information.
[05.17.22]
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The business world is still adjusting to the modified working conditions that were required during the global pandemic and weighing their continued value moving forward. A new survey of 522 US-based executives and business managers explored the benefits and pitfalls of different types of meeting modes (in person or virtual) with employees and customers as well as the value of corporate travel in the post-pandemic business climate. The survey also probed the attitude toward returning to the traditional office setting versus remote work or a blend of the two.
The 37-page white paper, How We Meet Matters—Insights on Meetings and Travel from US Business Leaders, was sponsored by CWT, Cytric by Amadeus, and Delta, and compiled by tClara. Data was collected during February 2022.
Some highlights:
- When it comes to business travel, 78 percent of respondents would recommend travel levels similar to or significantly more than their closest competitors.
- In-person meetings are significantly more valued by C-suite executives than others surveyed (53 percent vs. 41 percent, respectively).
- Virtual meetings are beneficial for saving time and money, protecting participants’ health, and reducing carbon emissions, but the risks are significant for loss of attention and weak participation.
- Among the benefits cited for in-person meetings are building trust and teamwork, solving important problems, and becoming part of a team.
- When asked about the consequences of banning all in-person meetings, respondents cited higher attrition (65 percent) as the top concern. Lower morale, inferior hiring, worse teamwork, and an eroded culture all came in second at 63 percent.
- In a surprising finding, 77 percent of respondents said they can’t determine if their companies are traveling too much or too little other than by examining the travel budget, while 92 percent of CEOs surveyed said that business travelers should spend a few minutes justifying the need for their trips before they travel.
- A majority (70 percent) favor a blend of working virtually and in person, with only 23 percent saying that they want to work in the office five days a week.
The entire report can be viewed here.
[05.11.22]
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A year ahead of the REAL ID rollout, which is now expected to take effect on May 3, 2023, DMV officials across the country are warning travelers and those who may need to enter certain federal buildings to start preparing now to secure the enhanced ID. A traveler may use a valid and current US Passport or other federally approved ID in lieu of the REAL ID (but not vice versa—you will still need a valid US Passport to travel internationally).
The REAL ID was delayed several times due to the pandemic, but is currently scheduled to take effect in May 2023. Certain states and ID-issuing agencies have additional requirements beyond the traditional driver’s license paperwork, and officials note that it could cause a delay in obtaining the updated ID without it. In most cases, the REAL ID must be issued in person, which means a trip to the DMV and a little bit of legwork—especially if you need extra time to locate the proper and official documents. REAL ID is denoted by a star in the upper right-hand corner of the ID.
The Department of Homeland Security has a website that can help you determine the requirements for your state, which you can visit here.
With the deadline looming, the US Travel Association (USTA) is imploring DHS to delay the implementation again, citing a lack of readiness by US citizens and the agencies issuing the IDs.
“US Travel supports the US Department of Homeland Security’s push to educate individuals on the need to acquire a REAL ID, but we also recognize that the pandemic created a significant hurdle to the widespread adoption of REAL ID. As we look ahead to next year’s deadline, it is clear that Americans will not be ready for full implementation,” said USTA Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes. “We are calling on DHS to delay implementation or develop an alternative screening process for travelers with a legacy ID to ensure that air travelers and the industry’s recovery are not impeded. The delay should last until measures are in place to prevent a scenario in which travelers are turned away at airport security checkpoints.”
More information about REAL ID is available at dhs.gov/real-id.
[05.10.22]