The coronavirus public health crisis has taken a devastating toll on the travel industry. Pre-pandemic, the travel-dependent Leisure & Hospitality sector accounted for 11% of all employment in the U.S yet it has suffered 39% of all pandemic-related job losses since February 2020. As one of the hardest-hit industries, travel and tourism must be top of mind for lawmakers as they consider economic relief packages.
Travel spending losses totaled nearly $500 billion in 2020—a loss of $1.6 billion for the U.S. economy each day. With additional relief and stimulus measures, the travel industry can help fuel America's economic and jobs recovery.
- Analysis: Travel Industry Employment through January 2021
- Fact Sheet: Travel's Dramatic Losses in 2020
- Press Release: Travel-Related Unemployment Hits 51% Ahead of Memorial Day
- Video: Restore the Economy by Restoring Travel
Assessing Recovery Webinar Series: This monthly webinar series looks at a different aspect of the recovery of the travel and tourism industry and the broader economy. Watch past recordings, download recent slides and register for upcoming webinars here.
NEW: Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of All Travelers
Related Webinars:
- Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Vaccine on the Recovery of Travel | Recording and Slides (January 21, 2021)
- The Role of COVID-19 Testing in the Recovery of Travel | Recording and Slides (November 12, 2020)
- Assessing Uncertainty Through Safety: New Guidance for the Travel Industry | Recording and slides. (May 7, 2020)
Looking for ways to encourage visitors to follow best practices for health and safety? Resources are added regularly to our #TravelConfidently Toolkit.
Use the below materials to inform your communications with your members of Congress and help the travel industry speak with a united voice.
- NEW: Policies to Restore the Travel Economy (February 2021)
- Coronavirus Relief Bill Summary (December 2020)
- Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act of 2020 Summary (April 2020)
- CARES Act Summary for Travel Businesses (March 2020)
Letters Sent to Congress and Administration (2020-2021)
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- Industry Letter in Support of the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act (February 25)
- Letter to Administration on Domestic Testing from Aviation Groups (February 9)
- Aviation Group Letter to the COVID-19 Recovery Team on Executive Orders (January 29)
- U.S. Travel Letter to Treasury and SBA on PPP Guidance for DMOs (December 29)
- COVID RELIEF NOW Coalition Joint Letter to Congressional Leadership (December 1)
- Industry Letter in Support of Visit America Act (November 20)
- U.S. Travel Letter to President Trump on CRF Extension (November 19)
- Coalition for Safe Alternatives to Quarantines Letter to HHS, DOT and DHS (October 22)
- Travel Industry CEO Joint Statement (October 1)
- COVID RELIEF NOW Coalition Letter to Congressional Leadership (September 30)
- Letter from Florida and Maryland Businesses to Senators Rubio and Cardin on PPP Modifications (July 17)
- U.S. Travel Letter to Secretary Mnuchin and Congressional Leadership on the Industry's Priorities for Phase 4 Relief Legislation (July 17)
- DMO Sign On Letter on PPP Modifications to the Administration and Congressional Leadership (July 17)
- Senate Letter to Congressional Leadership Requesting Additional EDA Grants for Tourism (June 29)
- U.S. Travel Letter to Secretary Mnuchin and the Federal Reserve on the Main Street Lending Program (June 22)
- DMO Sign On Letter on PPP Modifications to Congressional Leadership and Secretary Mnuchin (May 28)
- U.S. Travel letter to Congressional Leadership and Secretary Mnuchin on PPP Modifications (May 28)
- Letter from Bipartisan New York Delegation to Congressional Leadership in Support of Travel and Tourism (May 20)
- Joint Association Letter to Congressional Leadership on Liability (May 11)
- Letter to President Trump Sharing Travel Industry Health and Safety Guidance (May 4)
- Travel Industry Health and Safety Guidance Letter to All Governors (May 4)
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Relief Letter to Small Business Association (April 29)
- Updated DMO Sign On Letter to Congressional Leadership and Secretary Mnuchin (April 28)
- House Dear Colleague Letter in Support of DMOs (April 16)
- DMO Sign On Letter to Congressional Leadership (April 8)
- Association Questions for Small Business Administration and the Department of Treasury (April 2)
- Association Letter to the Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve (March 31)
- Toolkit: Travel Industry Relief Resources
- Toolkit: Power of Travel Coalition Advocacy Resources
- Toolkit: Travel Confidently
- Toolkit: Let's Go There
- Toolkit: COVID-19 Travel Industry Research
- Toolkit: COVID-19 Resources for Destinations
- Playbook: Crisis Readiness and Response
Page last updated February 19, 2021
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