Travelers return to America after a 600-day pause

Big news in travel this week is – finally -- the reopening of the borders in the U.S. to general travel, an event that’s been eagerly awaited by people in the travel industry. On this episode we’re talking with Peter Vlitas, the executive vice president of global supplier relations for Power List travel company Internova, and Caroline Donaldson, the director of product and commercial operations for U.K.-based Barrhead Travel, about demand, particularly from the United Kingdom, for U.S. vacations, family reunions and the ever-popular shopping getaway. We’re also taking a quick look at Americans traveling abroad, so we’re including an excerpt from our recording with Jennifer Tombaugh of Tauck and Sally Black of VacationKids talking about U.S. travel demand to Europe, the interest in outdoorsy, secondary markets, the trouble with return-testing to the U.S. and the excitement of this year’s Christmas Markets. The interview with Vlitas and Donaldson was recorded Friday, Nov. 12, and the interview with Tombaugh and Black was recorded on Nov. 4. Both have been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor: This episode of the Folo by Travel Weekly is sponsored by Princess Cruises. Related reading/listening: The U.S. has reopened for travel. Cities are eager for visitors: https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/After-604-days-US-doors-open-and-cities-are-eager-for-visitors Emotional reunions as U.S. lifts restrictions on travel: https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/As-rules-ease-travelers-head-to-US-for-emotional-reunions Biden lays out entry rules for U.S.-bound travelers: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/Rules-for-entering-US-from-foreign-countries Forum by Greg Webb, CEO of Travelport, on welcoming international travelers: https://www.travelweekly.com/Articles/Welcome-back-global-travelers Previous Folo by Travel Weekly podcast with Jennifer Tombaugh and Sally Black on family travel: https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/new-vaccines-what-next-for-family-travel    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.