A American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), Association of South African Travel Agencies (ASATA), Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), European travel agents and tour operators ‘Associations (ECTAA) e World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA), among other associations and entities, representing in total hundreds of thousands of people working in travel agencies and tourism-related businesses around the world, urge heads of government to expedite lifting of all travel restrictions.
When authorities make policy decisions in the interest of public health, these governments have an obligation to provide financial resources to the industries and companies most affected by their decisions..
Closing borders and implementing new restrictions affects millions of employees working in the travel and tourism industry.
Além disso, puts already vulnerable companies at risk of recovery, while government revenues continue to decline due to the loss of economic activity in the sector., which represents one in ten jobs worldwide., according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Recent and more stringent border closures have severely impacted already complex international travel.
The call's underwriters urge global government leaders to follow the best science says to determine border metrics., including tests and bans.
Many countries follow strict biosafety protocols, including the use of masks, social distancing and vaccination requirements.
The addition of new border measures has significant economic impacts on travel and tourism companies that may not add additional protection to the community..
It is critical that government policy be guided by science., not because of political pressure or the desire to be seen as "doing something", as these measures have a significant impact., sometimes irreversible, about business and jobs.
Assim, governments are asked to take responsibility for their actions., sustaining travel-dependent businesses until restrictions are lifted and normal travel patterns reappear.
So far, Government responses to this economic factor have been, at best, unequal.
The World Health Organization (OMS) continues to advise against applying travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing Covid-19 outbreaks. Generally, evidence shows that restricting the movement of people and goods during public health emergencies is ineffective in most situations and can divert resources from other interventions (…) travel bans to affected areas or barring entry of passengers from affected areas are generally not effective in preventing the importation of cases., but they can have a significant economic and social impact., refers to the most recent official scientific review by the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), confirming that travel restrictions do not generally have an effective impact on the spread of the virus in Europe.
Governments around the world must prioritize the global distribution of vaccines while continuing to support freedom of movement using scientifically tested and sensible measures., like masks, improved sanitation protocols, reasonable testing requirements and now, vaccination certificates.
Fast response times of results for PCR and other acceptable tests, all within a schedule of 24 horas, it's arduous even in the most advanced countries.
Tests must be widely available and accessible., and it is the duty of governments around the world to provide the resources and support the science-based approach to required testing and vaccination.
Given its clear and devastating impact on the global economy, travel restrictions and direct bans cause serious economic damage..
The ability to travel safely remains a key marker for our success with this virus.. Restricting access to travel only perpetuates the economic impact and delays the global recovery in terms of travel and various other economic factors across the world..
ASTA, ASATA, ACTA, CHTA, ECTAA and WTAAA further urge government leaders around the world to provide dedicated financial support to companies that depend on travel and to lift travel bans as soon as possible. Loosening restrictions on fully vaccinated travelers for entry into the United States and other countries should remain a priority., but more needs to be done to ensure that travel-dependent companies have access to immediate cash aid, when government action is the direct cause of economic hardship problems.
