U.S. Travel Applauds Lifting of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for International Visitors

May 5, 2023

The U.S. Travel Association, which has been diligently advocating for the end of COVID-19 restrictions along with several other tourism and events industry entities, overwhelmingly welcomed the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement May 1 to repeal the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for inbound travel to the U.S.

“[The] action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward, said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S. Travel.

However, he added, the return of international visitors should be as efficient and secure as possible.

“The federal government must ensure U.S. airports and other ports of entry are appropriately staffed with Customs and Border Protection officers to meet the growing demand for entry,” Freeman said.

The COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international air travelers, in addition to federal employees and federal contractors will end May 11, the same day the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration is scheduled to expire.

“We put in place vaccination requirements for certain international travelers to slow the spread of new variants entering the country and to allow our healthcare system time to effectively manage access to care if faced with an increase in cases and hospitalizations,” the White House said in a statement. “While vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing the health and safety, we are now in a different phase of our response when these measures are no longer necessary.”

The vaccine mandate for inbound visitors has been in place since November 2021, when the Biden-Harris Administration lifted the 18-month ban on international travelers, paving the way for a massive boost to the travel and events industry’s recovery.

At the time, Hervé Sedky, board chair of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) and president and CEO of Emerald, called the ending of the travel ban a win-win for all stakeholders as the industry returned to in-person gatherings.

“International exhibitors and attendees are critical to the success of the thousands of conferences and trade shows held in the U.S. each year,” Sedkey said. 

After several months, however, it became apparent that the vaccine requirement for international travelers was another impediment for leisure travelers and event attendees from other countries, and numerous advocacy efforts began in order to persuade the U.S. government to repeal the mandate.

One of the latest initiatives was the introduction of a bill early this year to end the vaccine requirement immediately.

“We have long supported the removal of this requirement and see no reason to wait until the May expiration of the public health emergency,” said Tori Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy for U.S. Travel. “Every day this policy remains in place encourages some travelers to avoid the U.S., costing us valuable visitor spending and delaying our efforts to reignite inbound travel.”

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on TwitterFacebook and LinkedIn!

 

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.