TORONTO — As long as the federal government’s travel advisories stay in place – the advisories recommending Canadians avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada, and avoid all cruise travel – the longer the negative impact to travel will continue, and that’s why the industry needs an extension of CERB, says ACTA.

ACTA is calling on the Canadian government to extend the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for the travel industry, travel agencies and travel agents.

ACTA is asking the industry to write to their MP urging extension of the CERB for the travel industry, travel agencies and travel agents.

A template for the letter can be downloaded here: ACTA Letter Template

“While we appreciate the need for continued action to limit the COVID-19 spread, travel advisories coupled with the now extended ban of cruise ships in Canadian waters are another blow to the Canadian travel industry,” said Wendy Paradis, President of ACTA.

She adds: “The Canadian travel industry has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic and as economies across the country begin to re-open, the travel advisories, physical distance and mandatory self-isolation/quarantine measures after travel, will prevent retail travel businesses that same opportunity.”

Paradis says the federal government’s extended advisory against all non-essential travel puts a financial strain on retail travel businesses. “Without an extension of CERB, many will face significant economic hardships long after other businesses have re-opened,” said Paradis. “To protect the thousands of Canadian retail travel businesses, employees, and independent contractors, we call on the government of Canada to provide the Canadian retail travel businesses with a sector specific CERB extension until the end of December 2020.”

Paradis adds that due to the catastrophic impact of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis, many travel businesses do not expect business to return to 2019 levels until 2021 or 2022.