B.C.’s hospitality sector expects boost after U.S. lifts COVID test requirement for international travel

The B.C. Hotel Association says it’s feeling optimistic for business after hearing the U.S. lifted its requirement that international travellers test negative for COVID-19 within a day before boarding a flight to the country.

Mike Macleod with the association tells CityNews he expects this will encourage more people from the U.S. to fly in now that they can fly back hassle-free.

“It’s yet another removal of restrictions at the border and that works both ways,” he said. “We’ve been long proponents for removing all the restrictions whether they emanate from the U.S. or are home-based Canadian restrictions.”

Related Article: U.S. to drop COVID test requirement for arriving air travellers

Over the past week, Macleod says the latest information reflects that hotels are running at about 75 per cent in the province.

While there is room to grow, he says the sector can also celebrate the removal of restrictions at the border.

But with summer around the corner, Macleod predicts conventions and festivals will attract people and result in a positive impact on the industry.

“As I’m sure people have been hearing our domestic travel has been still pretty strong throughout the province, for a variety of reasons. So this will only enhance some of these things that would benefit from a draw from the Pacific Northwest or even further away in the United States,” he said.

FILE – Licensed vocational nurse Caren Williams, right, collects a nasal swab sample from a traveller at a COVID-19 testing site at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, on Nov. 23, 2020. The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travellers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Staffing the sector remains a challenge in the province but Macleod says the association is working tirelessly to train folks and get them working.

Despite the operational and logistical challenges, Macleod says hotels still welcome the increase to demand.

“They’ll welcome the additional guests coming from further away.”

Related Article: Canada to lift random COVID-19 tests for international travellers

Friday’s announcement from the U.S. ends one of the last remaining government mandates in that country meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that the requirement will end early Sunday morning. The health agency said it will continue to monitor state of the pandemic and will reassess the need for a testing requirement if the situation changes.

“This step is possible because of the progress we’ve made in our fight against COVID-19,” said U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Airline and tourism groups have been pressing the administration for months to eliminate the testing requirement, saying it discourages people from booking international trips because they could be stranded overseas if they contract the virus on their trip.

Canada dropped its pre-entry testing requirement for international air travellers as of April 1.