OTTAWA — Following the federal government’s re-opening plan announcement, which lifted some key travel and border restrictions with its neighbour to the south, the U.S. Travel Association released a statement supporting the decision.
“Canada is getting this right and we applaud the release of a timeline that will allow vaccinated Americans to visit and cross the land border after many long months. Travel is a core component of the economy and job creation, and today’s announcement will spur a re-bound of both in Canada,” says Tori Emerson, executive vice-president of Public affairs and Policy, U.S. Travel Association. “While we have stated that vaccines should not be a requirement for travel, we strongly encourage all Americans to get a vaccine, and we commend Canada for starting this process to restore border travel.”
Emerson also pleaded with the current presidential administration to follow in Canada’s footsteps.
“We urge the Biden administration to reciprocate by determining a date and a plan to welcome Canadian visitors at U.S. land borders. Land travel accounted for more than half of all overnight visits to the U.S. by Canadians pre-pandemic, so taking this step — given the strong rates of vaccination in Canada — will help the U.S. begin safely re-building with its number-1 source market of international visitors,” says Emerson.
