Swiss tourists will soon be able to travel to the USA again?

The United States is considering opening up the country to foreign travelers. Travel agencies like Hotelplan and airlines like Swiss hope and fear – for good reason.

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In the song “If you’re going to San Francisco”, the word “if” had to be emphasized since the pandemic broke out. Because since mid-March 2020 the USA has closed its doors to almost all foreign tourists – there is no end in sight to the rule. The holidays in the Californian hippie metropolis, the visit to the Grand Canyon or the city trip to New York have to wait until today.

But now the “if” could soon become a “when” (if). Because the government of US President Joe Biden is considering easing the entry rules for travelers from Great Britain, Mexico, Canada – and Europe. As the “Financial Times” reports, The White House has taken the first steps to achieve this. It will be checked when and how non-US citizens will be allowed back into the US.

Swiss in contact with US authorities

An opening up of the United States would be a huge relief, not least for Swiss. Because the North American flights are the most important line of business for the airline. “We are closely monitoring the development of the situation and are in contact with the US representation in Switzerland, the Swiss representation on site and, together with the Lufthansa Group, also with the responsible US authorities,” says a Swiss spokeswoman. For a few weeks now, there has also been an increase in demand for flights to the USA. Swiss is prepared for an opening and a corresponding further increase in demand.

The only question left is: when? The US has set itself the goal of reaching the critical level for the vaccination rate in the population by the national holiday, July 4th. Roger Dow, head of the US travel association, speculates in the “Financial Times” that it will soon open to foreign tourists.

Hotelplan is confident

The Migros travel subsidiary Hotelplan is also optimistic about the general booking figures. There is even talk of a boom with regard to the summer. And: “As soon as other long-haul destinations such as the USA or Canada relax their entry requirements for the Swiss, the demand for these destinations will also increase significantly,” says Tim Bachmann, head of the Swiss Hotelplan business.