The Canadian travel industry is breathing a sigh of relief after the Canadian federal government announced on 15FEB eased restrictions and an end to its advisory against non-essential travel, both effective as of 28FEB.
The new changes would see the removal of on-arrival airport testing, with a shift back to random PCR tests at Canada’s air and land borders. In addition, fully vaccinated travellers now have the option - rather than a PCR test - to use an authorized and approved rapid antigen test to return to Canada. Other border changes include the removal of the self-isolation period for children travelling with a fully vaccinated adult.
In addition, all of Canada’s airports will be open to international flights as of 28FEB.
ACTA: “Lift all Pre-departure Testing”
While the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) welcomes the change, the group says that there is still more to be done.
“While ACTA welcomes this change as an important step forward, we urge the government to lift all pre-departure testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers,” said Wendy Paradis, ACTA president. “Rapid antigen tests are an additional cost and often difficult to procure. All testing requirements create uncertainty and deter travel. There is no scientific basis to single-out travel for testing.”
In response to the opening of all Canadian airports to international flights, Paradis added: “This is great news for Canada’s inbound and outbound travel and tourism industry.”
In addition, ACTA is working to confirm whether the advisory against cruise travel abroad will also be eased within the near future.
ACTA will continue to advocate to the federal government to lift the cruise advisory and further ease the pre-departure rapid antigen testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers.
WestJet: Remove All Measures for Fully-Vaccinated Travellers
The WestJet Group had a similar reaction, calling the eased restrictions “a positive step forward,” but will continue to advocate for the removal of all measures “impacting fully-vaccinated air travellers.”
"The removal of travel barriers for fully-vaccinated travellers and families is a positive step forward for our industry; we have been advocating tirelessly for these changes on behalf of our guests and our communities," said Angela Avery, WestJet Executive Vice-President, External Affairs.
WestJet also added that it will continue to advocate for the return to “surveillance arrivals testing only” and for the federal government to outline a recovery roadmap for the travel and tourism industry, based on science and reflective of the current COVID-19 situation.
"As measures transition and Canada's pandemic situation continues to improve, we are optimistic that the remaining policies will be reassessed and removed for fully-vaccinated travellers in the weeks ahead as outlined today by the Ministers," continued Avery.
G Adventures: “Huge Opportunity to Play Catch-Up”
David Green, Managing Director for G Adventures, says the Canadian travel industry is breathing a “sigh of relief” as Canada joins other markets around the world in easing border restrictions and requirements “that have made international travel more difficult in the wake of Omicron.”
Addressing travel agents, Green says to “buckle up - the best is yet to come.”
“There is a tonne of pent up demand still waiting to be realized…We only need to look across the pond to our colleagues in the United Kingdom - who in [JAN] celebrated their best month since the pandemic hit - to see what a huge difference the removal of PCR testing and travel advisories does for consumer sentiment,” said Green.
“There’s now a huge opportunity to play catch-up. The combination of pent-up demand, easing of restrictions and testing requirements - coupled with winter fatigue - looks set to be the perfect storm we’ve all been waiting for.”
Unifor: “Welcome Relief”
One of Canada’s largest unions, Unifor travel industry members, welcome the announcement of eased restrictions.
"Canadians are ready to travel for work and for pleasure," said Scott Doherty, the Executive Assistant to the Unifor's National President. "Having these rules lifted will not only encourage more people to want to travel, but it removes some of the red tape for those returning to Canada."
"Airline workers have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic, and today's announcement is welcome relief for all workers in the airline sector," said Tammy Moore, Chair of Unifor's Aviation Council and President of Unifor Local 2002, which represents 12,500 members in Canada's aviation industry. "We have long been asking for a plan to get the industry back up and running safely and at full capacity."
Destination Canada: “Important Milestone”
“This is an important milestone for our industry and a positive step towards the recovery of the Canadian tourism sector,” said Destination Canada in an email. “We are proud to support an industry that has shown such great resilience and continued adaptability throughout this global pandemic.”
