U.S. Travel Association Expresses Disappointment on COVID Relief Talks Ending

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued a statement Oct. 6 focused on the White House ending coronavirus relief negotiations:

“Hardworking Americans whose livelihoods depend on travel and tourism cannot wait until after the election for relief,” said Dow. “The reality is that small businesses in every pocket of America are shuttering—they needed relief months ago, which has been made clear week after week.

“With millions of Americans suffering, it is woefully shortsighted to end relief negotiations,” he continued. “New data from Tourism Economics shows that, without immediate aid, 50% of all travel-supported jobs will be lost by December—an additional loss of 1.3 million jobs. As travel supported 11% of all pre-pandemic jobs, it is simply not possible for the U.S. to expect a nationwide economic recovery without meaningful federal relief. On behalf of America’s travel workers, we are disheartened in the extreme that Congress and the administration failed to reach agreement on the relief this industry so desperately needed, despite clear evidence of mounting harm.”

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact David Cohen