International Travel Restrictions Are Loosening — What Happens Next?

With the US set to reopen its air borders to all fully vaccinated foreign travellers from 33 countries, including the U.K., the EU, China, India, Brazil and South Africa, among others, what comes next? The travel industry has voiced its support for the decision, ranging from the U.S. Travel Association, the American Society of Travel Advisors, Cruise Lines International Association, and more. Travel professionals are saying that despite the Delta variant, the announcement is a positive symbol for the future of the industry. “I think we will see a big wave of newly reassured travelers who were previously on the fence,” Alexis Bowen, co-founder of “direct-to-local" travel platform Elsewhere said. “Now that the U.S. has symbolically made a statement that travel while vaccinated is safe, we'll see a conversion from these hesitant travelers who are now ready to book.” While the new policy comes at a good time, it also raises new questions. While some at-home tests are acceptable to present for the negative COVID-19 test required 24 hours of arrival back in the U.S., how can passengers prove the at-home test was performed? According to Donna Alkarmi, president of Lone Star Travel, it may also be difficult for unvaccinated travelers to both get tested and receive results back within 24 hours of their departure.