On Monday (20 September), the Biden administration announced plans to allow fully vaccinated travellers from the UK and the EU to enter America from November.
Following the announcement off the back of the UK government’s recent overhaul of the traffic light regime and travel testing scheme, Polka Dot Travel director Mark Johnson said the agency had experienced a sharp rise in enquiries for US getaways.
"Ever since the announcements we have been very busy, which is not a word I’ve been able to use for a long time," said Johnson. "[The US opening] on the back of the news about the traffic light and testing systems is a double whammy, fantastic news.
"It’s like someone has flipped a light switch with consumer confidence. We’re already getting enquiries now for Florida, Disney, New York and Boston. It’s like a big weight has been lifted. It’s a real vote of confidence from the two governments."
Liz Wright, product manager for Ireland-based US specialist operator TourAmerica, said her team were "delighted" with the reopening announcement after seeing "a pent-up demand" from clients to travel to the states over the past 18 months.
"This has instilled the confidence in them to book again so it’s fantastic," she added. "As well as holidays we have also had many bookings for those travelling to see their family that they haven’t seen in almost two years.
"Most bookings have been for Christmas, New York shopping breaks and Orlando for summer 2022."
However, although RouteTrip USA director and founder Stephen Disbrowe welcomed the news, he voiced his frustration at the timing of the decision and lack of clarity over the exact date the changes will come into effect.
"It’s a bit frustrating that it’s happened in September for implementation in November, and we’ve been given a vague date," he added. "I have people who might want to go away in November, but they don’t know if they can go away on the 5th, 10th, 15th or whatever, so it still leaves us a bit in limbo.
"But, of course, it is still positive news in regards to the whole US travel market, and we’re getting a significant increase in enquiries which is good. A lot more people are saying they want to get booking."
President of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), Joanne Dooey, described the US overhaul as a "major boost" to Scots eager to travel to visit friends and family.
"Pre-pandemic, there were around six flights daily from Glasgow and Edinburgh direct to the States, so the importance of this move for the whole Scottish travel sector and the 26,000 jobs it sustains can’t be underestimated," she added.
"Of course, we await the finer details of which vaccinations will be accepted and will qualify for entry and also the confirmation that this will apply to Scotland, but this is certainly a very important change to travel rules."
Jonathan Sloan, chair of Visit USA Association UK said its members and the wider industry relished the news "after 18 months of false starts and delayed travel plans".
"Welcoming around four million British visitors a year, the USA is the number one long-haul destination for the Brits. It is also the time for friends and families to reunite at last," said Sloan.
