U.S. Travel estimates that declines in international visitation since the start of the pandemic (March 2020-October 2021) resulted in nearly $300 billion in lost export income and a loss of more than one million American jobs. The association also estimates that the international inbound travel segment will not recover to 2019 levels until at least 2024.
While reopening our borders is a critical step in the right direction, much work remains to ensure an even recovery for international travel.
Specifically, officials must fully reopen and resume visitor visa processing at U.S embassies and consulates to reduce the backlog for future visitors and accelerate the recovery of inbound travel.
On average, countries that are not a part of the Visa Waiver Program currently face unacceptably long wait times in excess of 14 months for a visitor visa appointment,” Barnes added. “Further, officials must also ensure frontline CBP and TSA officers have the necessary resources to safely process an increasing number of arrivals.
Of the top 20 countries for inbound travel to the U.S., only five countries have all U.S. embassies or consulates fully open for visa processing, according to analysis by the U.S. Travel Association.
Other key policies, such as providing emergency relief funding to Brand USA, the United States’ destination marketing organization, will be essential to restoring international inbound travel. A bill to provide this funding passed the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation earlier this year.
