The U.S. President Joe Biden commented, "The first is, 100 million shots in people’s arms will have been completed within the next 10 days, and 100 million checks in people’s pockets in the next 10 days. Shots in arms and money in pockets — that’s important.
The American Rescue Plan is already doing what it was designed to do: make a difference in people’s everyday lives. And we’re just getting started. By the time all the money is distributed, 85 percent of American households will have gotten a $1,400 rescue check.
To give more — to give one more example: For the average family of two parents and two children making a combined income of $110,000 a year, that’s going to add $5,600 for them — $5,600 they’ll get.
And the plan does a lot more. It extends unemployment insurance for the 11 million Americans unemployed and any who will be unemployed in the near term.
It will help hundreds of thousands of small businesses keep their doors open, which makes a gigantic difference in neighborhoods and communities. If you have a drugstore, if you have a — a beauty shop, a hardware store, it’s the center of small communities.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC states: “This incredible stimulus package will be welcomed by Travel & Tourism businesses across the U.S., many of whom are struggling to survive. This package promises a much-needed boost while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the sector.
The $14 billion allocated to airlines will come as a monumental relief, following almost a year without widespread international travel, which has left many on the brink of collapse.
Our recent economic modeling showed the devasting affect the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector, with 9.2 million jobs impacted and $155 billion lost from the U.S economy due to the collapse of international travel last year. This catastrophic loss to the economy equates to a shortfall of $425 million every day, or nearly $3 billion a week.
WTTC and our 200 Members would like to thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for recognizing the importance of our sector.
These bold steps are needed to reinvigorate the travel sector and will provide a significant boost to the U.S. economy as the country begins to turn the tide against this terrible virus.
We also congratulate the new administration for the significant strides made in its vaccination program, and the deployment of thousands of troops to further ramp up these efforts. We welcome the latest plan to relax restrictions by Independence Day, which will give fresh hope to Americans.
However, we believe the key to restarting international travel is through the introduction of a comprehensive testing regime on departure and arrival.
Testing for non-vaccinated travelers, along with mandatory mask wearing and increased health and hygiene protocols, would allow the safe resumption on international travel. It would avoid the risk of transmission, save jobs and help plug the gaping hole in the stricken U.S economy.”
Tags: WTTC, United States, American Rescue Plan
