ACTA and ASTA Send Joint Letter to Canadian and US Officials

ACTA and ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) have written a joint letter sent to Canadian Ministers Omar Alghabra and Patty Hajdu and U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

The letter asks that both governments make opening the border and safely restarting U.S. / Canada travel an immediate priority.

It outlines the devastating impact of the COVID pandemic on travel agencies and travel agents in both countries and explains that the drastic losses they have incurred. Both associations are offering to work with their respective governments to develop a plan to clearly spell out how and when travel can re-start between Canada and the U.S., with the objective of releasing a plan prior to June 21, when the existing Canada U.S. border measures are set to potentially be renewed.

As a result of these restrictions, average travel agency business income in the U.S. was down 82 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019 according to ASTA member surveys. In Canada, with some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world, travel agent revenue was down 95 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, and over 800 storefront travel agencies have now had to close permanently. And due to industry economics (i.e. commission payment schedules), there will be a substantial time lag between a return of travel bookings and a corresponding return of business income, an anticipated average of eight months' delay.

The full letter can be read here.

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