US Secretary of Commerce Raimondo celebrates lifting of international travel restrictions

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo issued the following statement on the lifting of international travel restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers:

“The travel and tourism industry is a vital part of the American economy, providing millions of jobs to Americans, supporting local businesses, and showcasing what our country has to offer to travelers from around the world. Tragically, the industry was hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, grounding flights, docking cruise ships, and shuttering hotels and tourist attractions as we fought to stop the spread.

“Today, we are excited to announce that America is open for business for fully vaccinated international travelers. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership and private sector partners who have gone above and beyond to get their workforce vaccinated, we are able to safely welcome international travelers to the U.S. and provide a much-needed economic boost to our travel and tourism industry, which supports countless American businesses and workers across the country.

“In that same spirit, I am also pleased to announce that the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration awarded $314 million in grants to 34 states and the District of Columbia to revitalize travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation. Thanks to funding allocated in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, these grants will support states as they provide leisure, business, and international travel to domestic and international visitors. These grants could not come at a more critical time to support travel and tourism across the country and create jobs.

“These grants, combined with the critical investments for our nation’s airports and transit infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Act, showcase the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to helping local businesses and critical industries, like travel and tourism, not only recover but build back stronger and more equitably for the future.”