International travel was already on the rise, but the news from the Biden administration just gave globetrotters more to cheer—and pull out their credit cards—about. Even as European and other countries dropped their testing mandates for incoming travelers, the U.S. held firm—until last week. The requirement, implemented by the Trump administration, was eliminated Sunday. Travelers no longer must arrange for (and pass) a COVID-19 test at their end of their vacations in London, Rome, Bora Bora, or anywhere else. The airline and tourism industries had long lobbied for the change.
“The Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of the U.S. travel industry,” said Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association. “International inbound travel is vitally important to businesses and workers across the country who have struggled to regain losses from this valuable sector.”
