October 7 - The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) issues the following statement in response to the White House abandoning relief negotiations until after the election:

 

“Against this backdrop of human suffering, extraordinary job loss and millions of small businesses closing, the Administration deciding to abandon relief negations is reprehensible. All businesses in the country have been impacted by COVID-19 in one way or another, but few sectors have been as hard hit, or face a longer road to recovery, than the travel agency industry.

 

“More than 9 in 10 travel agencies’ business income is down at least 75 percent, even factoring in the relief programs created by the CARES Act. Close to 64 percent of travel agencies surveyed have laid off at least half their staff. All told, 73 percent of ASTA members predict they will be out of business in six months or less if current conditions hold and additional federal relief is not provided. Travel advisors cannot wait for additional federal aid to come in December 2020 or March 2021.

 

“We can no longer avoid the conversation surrounding the fact that our own government is not helping where it can and should. Rather – our own government is shirking responsibility and playing an active role bringing the travel industry to its knees.”

 

 

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