A coalition of 26 aviation, travel and tourism groups are urging the federal government to work with them to create a roadmap for bringing back international travel by this summer.

The plan should be finalized by May 1 and should include "clear metrics, benchmarks and a timeline for rescinding entry restrictions on international travelers," the coalition wrote in a March 22 letter to Jeffrey Zients, White House COVID-19 Recovery Team Coordinator.

"Travel-related businesses, such as airlines, airports, hotels, car rental and black car providers have invested heavily to put the right protections and strategies in place to mitigate risk. We are ready to welcome back travelers and keep them safe," the letter stated.

Signatories include Airlines for America, the American Association of Airport Executives and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

The federal mask mandate and mandatory COVID-19 testing for airline passengers coming from abroad have reduced the risk of transmission during international travel, the letter stated.

President Joe Biden's recent directive for states to make vaccinations available to all American adults by May 1 means that hundreds of millions of Americans will soon be protected against the virus, according to the coalition.

The roadmap should include plans to continue inbound COVID-19 testing, exclude vaccinated passengers from international testing requirements, and update Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to state that vaccinated people can travel safely, according to the coalition.

The groups called the need for a clear path to revive international travel "urgent."

"In 2020, overseas travel to the U.S. declined by 81%, while travel from Mexico was down by 62% and Canada by 77%—causing a loss of $146 billion to the U.S. economy," the letter stated.

"If nothing is done to lift international travel bans and bring back demand, the U.S. Travel Association estimates that a total of 1.1 million American jobs will not be restored and $262 billion in export spending will be lost by the end of 2021."

Other associations that signed the letter include:

International Air Transport Association

International Association of Airport Executives

National Air Carrier Association

National Air Transportation Association

National Limousine Association

Regional Airlines Association

United States Tour Operators Association

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Travel Association

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