ETA - Executive Travel Assistant

12/06/2022

COVID testing is no longer required upon re-entry into the U.S.

11/06/2022

In a move celebrated across the wider travel industry, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lifted its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before returning home to the United States from abroad.

It’s the culmination of a once-strong policy that had become extremely controversial as pandemic-era measures were relaxed around most of the rest of the world.

Travelers had been required to take a test and receive a negative within just 24 hours of their return flight home to the United States.

Now, travelers can simply get on a plane and return home, without having to spend what had been sometimes hours getting tested on their trips.

It was a policy that had particularly detrimental ramifications in the Caribbean, which had to quickly set up region-wide testing apparatus aimed at returning US travelers.

The move is already being widely hailed in the Caribbean tourism industry.

saint lucia tourism rebounding
Destinations like Saint Lucia are already hailing the move.
“Since the announcement this morning, we are already hearing feedback from travel advisors, as well as American travelers, who are happy about this protocol being lifted in the U.S,” said Lorine Charles-St. Jules, CEO of Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. “The lifting of Covid testing requirements for international will absolutely have a positive impact on international tourism, as well as U.S. tourism. This is especially true for travelers who may have been deterred from traveling internationally because of worries about securing tests in time in a foreign country. While most countries, like Saint Lucia, have made it seamless to schedule Covid testing before departing for the U.S., there is always uncertainty in travel. Eliminating the testing requirement could spur further growth in international travel for Saint Lucia, the Caribbean, and all international destinations that appeal to the American market.”

To its credit, the Caribbean did just that, mobilizing testing infrastructure across much of the region at an impressively large scale.

But the test was still a deterrent for many travelers, who did not want to risk getting stuck in a quarantine in a foreign country for a week or two or longer.

More importantly, though, it was also largely unfair to the region, which had already taken great risk to relaunch its tourism industry — the engine of the Caribbean economy — but was now being faced with providing testing infrastructure and dealing with stranded travelers who would have otherwise returned home to their own healthcare systems in the US.

“We are thrilled to see the end of the CDC’s inbound testing rule, which has been standing in the way of our industry’s recovery for too long,” said Zane Kerby, president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors, which had been one of the biggest proponents of removing the requirement.

Kerby had previously told Caribbean Journal that the inbound testing requirement was having a “chilling” effect on Caribbean travel.

Indeed, the ASTA has been engaged in what it called a “multi-layered advocacy campaign” to get to this point, including direct lobbying of Congress and officials in the administration of US President Joe Biden.

“We commend the Biden Administration for taking this long-overdue step and thank ASTA members across the country for their hard work in helping get this across the finish line,” Kerby said. “While plenty of challenges remain in terms of rebuilding the travel agency business, today is a great day.”

With continued moves to remove pandemic travel testing requirements across the region (islands like Bonaire, Jamaica, Curacao and Grenada have already completely lifted their testing rules), it means more and more Caribbean vacations are just like they were before the onset of the pandemic.

In other words, you get on a plane, you travel, and you come home. Just that simple.

25/03/2022

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TND) — COVID-19 mitigation measures have largely been eased across the nation as cases, hospitalizations and deaths decline. The Biden administration has indicated a shift to a country that can “live with COVID-19. ” Nearly all Americans can now ditch their face m...

20/03/2022

the European and Asian shores of the key waterway.

With a a 2,023-meter (6,637 feet) span between its towers, the “1915 Canakkale Bridge” becomes the world’s longest suspension bridge

The president of Turkey, South Korea's prime minister and other officials inaugurated a massive suspension bridge Friday over the Dardanelles Strait that...

14/10/2020

Best advice I can give you is DO NOT TRAVEL IN 2020.

17/09/2020

In case you have not heard yet, the answer to this question “Is Maui Opening on Oct. 1st is NO”. HOWEVER, Gov. Ige announced that the opening date is OCT 15! And by “open” we meant that you can come to Maui and not have to quarantine for 14 days as long as you have a certification that you tested negative on COVID within 72 hours Of arrival.

28/07/2020

List of countries barring American tourists as the US coronavirus outbreak surges to new heights

List of countries barring American tourists as the US coronavirus outbreak surges to new heights

Countries are slowly reopening their borders as they bring their coronavirus outbreaks under control, but US travelers are blocked from many.

21/07/2020

Bahamas shuts out US travelers
Covid-19 surge leads to ban for Americans Read more

Unearthing travel news for 250,000 travel professionals travelmole.com/register_quick.php

07/07/2020

American tourists are banned from Europe, but not these countries

American tourists are banned from Europe, but not these countries

As high COVID-19 rates lock U.S. travelers out of the E.U., other places are taking precautions and inviting them back in.

22/06/2020

'Feels very unfair': Families say cruise lines are using a 'technicality' to refuse refunds

Families say cruise lines are using a 'technicality' to refuse refunds

***************very true***************** it's been a nightmare. Have your travel agent fight it. I did and got everyone a full refund.

One cruiser reported canceling less than an hour before refund eligibility, but Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and others aren't budging on refunds.

22/06/2020

Disney outlines reopening plan for its 4 Florida theme parks

Disney outlines reopening plan for its 4 Florida theme parks

Disney said Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will reopen on July 11; Epcot and Hollywood Studios will reopen on July 15.

26/05/2020

LATAM files for bankruptcy in the US
Delta's South American partner will continue flying Read more

US imposes travel restrictions on Covid-19 hotspot Brazil
Travel ban starts later this week Read more

US claims China is blocking airlines from resuming flights
United Airlines, Delta want to restart China flights Read more

Unearthing travel news for 250,000 travel professionals travelmole.com/register_quick.php

25/05/2020

The theme park intends to begin reopening to the public in phases, with several new health and safety measures put in place. Read More

19/05/2020

Venturing out of a hotel room in Hawaii right now might land you in handcuffs.

18/05/2020

Oh Boy!

Hong Kong was part of the initial wave of countries impacted by the coronavirus, and has closed its borders to non-residents since March. 

14/05/2020

Tour operators are looking to the future to see when travel may open back up, and what needs to happen to make sure travelers feel safe while abroad.

11/05/2020

people on this plane are scared/shocked."

Physician tweets photo of full plane despite airlines' assurances of open middle seats. On this cross-country flight, there appeared to be no empties.

08/04/2020

In addition to having someone navigate the complexities of rebooking flights and extending hotel stays, advisors like Lynn Barlow also take on negotiating refunds on their clients’ behalf.

05/04/2020

This is why you use a TRAVEL AGENT.

Stranded travelers are furious to find the online travel agency’s call centers are closed, and that the company is not assisting in saving their vacations or processing refunds. Read More

05/04/2020

The U.S. State Department has stopped issuing passports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with exceptions for people who have a "qualified life-or-death emergency." In a...

22/03/2020

Royalton Luxury Resorts are the new generation of 5-star resorts offering the ultimate in all inclusive vacations.

04/02/2020

Senators are raising concerns about travel interruptions that could arise if travelers fail to present Real ID Act-compliant identification.

29/01/2020

The mammoth 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck at 2.10pm EST Tuesday in the strait between Jamaica and Cuba - prompting a tsunami warning in surrounding islands.

19/01/2020

If you have added travel as one of your 2020 New Year's resolutions, these destinations would be a good place to start.

19/01/2020

They did say this would happen but seeing it is hard to fathom. Venice, Italy.

Venice’s famous waterways are lying bare as the tide has fallen dramatically, just two months after the city’s streets were flooded. The Italian city built on a saltwater lagoon often sees tides rise and fall, but the extreme drop recently has created transportation issues, as gondolas and other...

12/12/2019

Why You're Always 'Randomly Selected' For Additional Airport Screening

Last time I flew I had some lady touch me all over very unnecessary. I haven't flown since. I am sick of this it's humiliating. If one has ever been touched inappropriately in life this DOES effect them.

No matter how prepared you are, airport delays are inevitable. If your bag’s overweight, expect to take a few minutes just to unpack, redistribute your things, and re-pack again to appease an airline attendant.

26/11/2019

Call 401-822-7777 ask for Joanne Griffing for all your Black Friday deals.
You can also call Tanisha Edwards for your Black Friday deals! PM me and I will give you her number.

Charming, seaside, all-inclusive resort located on the island's best beach.

21/11/2019

Do you want to be a travel agent?
If you have clientele that are ready to book or groups please contact Joanne @ [email protected].

You MUST have bookings ready to go.

TRAINING STARTS at the end of January, 2020. I will train you for 6 months then you are on your own. Yes you will be paid. Yes you will be allowed to go on 2 FAM trips per year.
FAM trips are very reduced rates for travel agents so you can travel and write about where you traveled. It makes it alot easier to sell if you've been there and seen it.

Happy Travels!!!

19/11/2019

Call 401-822-7777 for an additional $100.00 OFF!

Elite Island Resorts includes an impressive portfolio of beautiful all-inclusive Caribbean beachfront resorts and a stunning boutique resort in Panama.