World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released a statement welcoming the re-opening of US borders to UK travellers and the resumption of transatlantic flights.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The prospect of the U.S. lifting travel restrictions to restore transatlantic travel between the U.K. and U.S is welcome news – not just for hard-pressed airlines but for the wider Travel & Tourism sector, which has been decimated by COVID-19.
“It will finally enable families to reunite, business travellers to resume face-to-face meetings and for Travel & Tourism to return for Brits looking to travel to America.
“The UK alone represents 8% of all inbound travel to the US, accounting for US$ 40 million per day to the nation’s economy.
“WTTC has long-been calling for the U.S. to reopen and our research shows that by opening its borders to key markets such as the UK, it will pump US$198 million back into the US economy every single day.
“WTTC strongly advocates for fully vaccinated travellers to be able to travel freely and safely, and for unvaccinated travellers to be able to do so with testing, alongside enhanced health and safety protocols.”
