TORONTO — Canada’s travel restrictions – chiefly the pre-departure PCR test for returning Canadians and visitors, as well as the on-arrival PCR test and quarantine plan – is impeding any potential recovery in the travel and tourism industry, says the Canadian Association of Tour Operators.

Yesterday CATO Chair Brett Walker sent a letter on behalf of CATO to the federal government, including Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism & Associate Minister of Finance.

Says Walker: “The tourism industry is poised to lose another summer unless steps are taken immediately to signal to the world that CANADA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Currently we are not. The required pre-departure PCR test for returning Canadians and visitors as well being subject to an arrival PCR test and quarantine plan will stifle any recovery.”

In recent days groups including the Canadian Travel & Tourism Roundtable, as well as the chief medical officers for Air Canada, WestJet and Pearson Airport, have urged the federal government to reduce or eliminate on-arrival PCR testing at Canada’s airports. Editorial boards at the Toronto Sun and the Globe and Mail have voiced their opinions, as has ACTA, and IATA, including a letter to Dr. Theresa Tam.

Here is CATO’s letter ….

“I write to you on behalf of the Canadian Association of Tour Operators. CATO represents tour operators  across Canada including many of the biggest brands and employers. Our members offer tour programs  and travel packages originating from Canada to international destinations as well as inbound to Canada,  intra-Canada and transborder.

“This past year CATO commissioned an economic impact study of its members and engaged the services  of BDO to conduct it. In June the Economic Impact Assessment was published. One of the most striking  travel indicators contained in the report was the average advance purchase time of 5.7 months prior to  travel. That timeline was consistent with advance purchase timelines prior to the pandemic and has remained unchanged.

“What this means, is that for Canada to have a meaningful tourism recovery this summer or perhaps  even this year, we need to eliminate all ineffectual travel barriers not driven by science. We need to acknowledge that air, rail, coach and essentially all other modes of travel are exclusive to fully  vaccinated travellers.

“Furthermore, we need to acknowledge the test positive rate of arriving travellers has remained close to 1% consistently, compared to community rates of nearly 20X that at the height of  testing. We need to signal to the world that Canada is OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

“The two biggest barriers for international travellers considering a trip to Canada or abroad, or otherwise, considering cancelling their trip, is Canada’s required pre-departure PCR test and arrival PCR test and quarantine plan. These are the #1 and #2 deterrents to any future travel demand or recovery and they  are not supported by science or even the government’s own advisory council.

“In a news release on Jan. 20, 2022, following the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers meeting, it  was stated ‘Canada has proven itself to be a destination where people can safely travel’. Furthermore, it stated the ministers and associated federal-provincial-territorial governments commitment to ‘restoring travellers’ confidence in Canada’ and noting ‘visitor spending is a key economic contributor for communities from coast to coast to coast.’

“While there is no doubt lots to plan for and be done to build back the tourism industry better than  before, we must also eliminate any unproven barriers. Recently, Australia rescinded the need for visitors to obtain a PCR test within 72 hours of departure and replaced with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24  hours.

“Similarly, the UK announced it’s dropping all testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.  Immediately following this announcement, Boris Johnson proclaimed “this country is open for business, open for travellers.”

“Canada must open for business as well by eliminating all testing for fully vaccinated travellers or face the  consequences of a horribly stunted recovery in 2022, if any at all.”