WASHINGTON, DC — “On behalf of the American travel industry: WELCOME,” the US Travel Association (USTA) tweeted on Nov. 8, as the ban on international air travel to the United States was lifted and international flights began landing at U.S. airports. Travelers from Canada and Mexico entering by land can also now travel freely, provided they can prove they are fully vaccinated.
“Today marks a historic and long-awaited day for long-separated travelers, friends and families to be safely reunited with loved ones,” the USTA tweeted. It’s also the day that suppliers and buyers from 33 countries around the world can now gather on the floor of upcoming U.S. trade shows — news that trade show executives welcomed as welcome news for upcoming U.S. shows.
“Opening U.S. exhibitions and events to international travelers is a major step forward in the industry’s recovery, as the face-to-face marketplace has a significant impact on the U.S. and global economies,” said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).
Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, CEM, CEO of the Center for Exhibition Research (CEIR), added, “Removing barriers to inbound international travel will have a positive impact on the recovery of the U.S. trade show industry. International exhibitors and visitors are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to participate and do business at U.S. trade events.”
“The reopening of the U.S. borders to international travelers has been long overdue and very welcome,” said David Audrain, CEO and Executive Director of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). “Many shows in the U.S. have significant international participation, both as exhibitors and attendees, and the enforced ban on international entry into the U.S. has made it all the more difficult for many shows to quickly resume operations. Now that international travel is once again permitted and encouraged, we can expect this to help many shows here see significantly improved results in 2022.”
The lifting of the ban, which began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, appears to have gotten off to a smooth start, despite recent problems that have raised concerns that airlines won’t be able to keep up with a surge in international travelers, in addition to a boom in domestic leisure travelers. Recent airline woes include: America Airlines canceled nearly 2,000 flights in October, and several airlines struggled earlier this summer to meet demand during the peak U.S. travel season.
Airlines are now shouldering an additional burden, which already includes staff shortages. Under the new requirements, it is now their responsibility to verify the vaccination status of international travelers. Most have implemented digital tools that allow travelers to upload their vaccination verification and, for those exempt from the vaccination requirement, negative coronavirus test results. Several are also now offering on-site testing at the airport to help with the process of complying with the new U.S. entry rules.
The reopening of IMEX America, held Nov. 9-11 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, came a little late. However, most of IMEX’s international suppliers and buyers flew out early to attend Meeting Professionals International’s pre-show education day, Smart Monday, on Nov. 8, and the Events Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders celebration on Nov. 7. That didn’t slow down the flow of international buyers and suppliers to the show, which was expected to attract 3,500 suppliers from 155 countries.
Contact David DuBois at (972) 687-9204 or [email protected]; Cathy Breden at (972) 687-9201 or [email protected]; David Audrain at (404) 334-4585 or [email protected]