U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on recent developments with the Zika virus:
"The U.S. travel community remains in close contact with state and federal public health experts, and is committed to disseminating and adhering to their most current counsel with regard to Zika.
"As of this moment, the experts' counsel that Zika is a concern for women who are pregnant or hope to become pregnant, and that those specific individuals should avoid a one-square-mile area in north Miami and a 20-block area of Miami Beach. We are confident that authorities are doing all they can to prevent the need to expand that advisory. Our understanding is that not-at-risk parties—i.e., the vast majority of the populace—should feel free to go about their business, as Greater Miami, the beaches and the state of Florida are open for business.
"Meanwhile, we renew our call for Congress to finally reach agreement on a Zika research and prevention funding package, so that the global public can see that the matter is being proactively addressed and the situation does not devolve into needless alarm."
U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. In 2020, travel generated $1.5 trillion in economic output and supported 11 million jobs, a drastic decline from pre-pandemic figures. U.S. Travel's mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.
WASHINGTON