US praises collaboration with trade Robin Searle
The US government hailed collaboration with the industry and tipped the trade to play a key role as it released details of its international travel policy ahead of the November 8 restart. The Biden administration
confirmed children under 18 and those with some medical issues would be exempt from the requirement for travellers to be fully vaccinated. It also confirmed travellers would
need to present a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure, with both lateral flow and PCR tests permitted. The US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention previously
said it would accept any vaccine authorised by the US or the World Health Organization. Airlines will be required to confirm proof of vaccination in addition to collecting passenger information to be used for contact tracing if required. A White House briefing was told
digital vaccination certificates would be accepted as long as they were “mapped against US requirements”. However, a UK aviation source warned travellers may need to carry a paper vaccination certificate rather than rely on the NHS Covid certificate on their phone, saying: “It’s going to be quite paper-based at the US border. They don’t have the systems to go digital.” Sarah Morgenthau, deputy
Demand tipped to rise for festive trips to the States
Juliet Dennis
Family sales to the US over the festive season are expected to grow following confirmation under-18s will not need to be vaccinated to enter the States. Operators and agents welcomed
clarification of US entry rules when borders reopen on November 8, which confirmed testing protocols and exemptions for under-18s and visitors with some medical issues. The trade had already seen a jump
in enquiries since the November 8 date was announced, and carriers including Delta Air Lines and Virgin
4 28 OCTOBER 2021
Atlantic have ramped up US capacity as demand has grown. USAirtours chief executive Guy
Novik now expects more clients to book as a result of the entry rules clarification. “It will encourage families to think about a winter-sun break, particularly for destinations such as Florida,” he said. The clarification would also help
convert 2022 enquiries, he said, adding: “Those who have enquired but not booked may well now book. “We’d certainly expect to see
increased conversion rates off the back of this news.” Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive
Consumers should
be confident their health and safety is a priority for the US government
assistant secretary for travel and tourism at the US Department of Commerce and a senior member of the administration, told Travel Weekly the policy had been driven by scientific and health advice but confirmed the travel industry had provided “concrete recommendations” to help shape it. She said UK visitors should not be concerned about nuances in
Covid protocols across states and cities but said added complexities offered an opportunity for travel professionals to show their expertise. Morgenthau also said every effort
would be made to give advanced warning of any changes to the policy, adding: “We understand there is a desire to have advanced notice and that is always a consideration in the decision-making process. “Consumers should be confident
their health and safety is a priority for the US government.” Shane Spyak, Delta Air Lines
managing director for international sales, said: “Opening the border to fully-vaccinated people is the right
step at the right time.” i Delta special report, page 10
Miami, Florida
of The Advantage Travel Partnership, agreed, saying: “This will make a big difference for sales up until Christmas and over the festive period for families as well as forward bookings for big family holidays.” The trade continued to report
steady sales growth across the board. The Holiday Village managing
director Paula Nuttall attributed the switch to cheaper lateral flow day- two tests for stimulating family and late bookings. “Sales are increasing weekly,” she said. “Compared with the same period in 2019, we are 25% up.” Advantage members’ summer 2022 sales saw the biggest hike
last week while the Canaries still “dominated” winter sales. Long-haul bookings rose for November onwards. Bailey’s Travel owner Chris Bailey
said bookings were rising steadily but cautioned: “It’s not a tsunami. Winter is sluggish.” He said Morocco’s decision to
suspend UK flights was a concern, adding that it was “a worry if other countries follow its lead”. Deben Travel owner Lee Hunt
said Christmas availability was limited. “We’re finding clients have the desire to book but at times we’re
struggling to find availability,” he said. i Destinations, page 30
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Mia2you
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