Congress, please help!

Every business in the country has been impacted by COVID- 19 in one way or another. But few sectors have been as hard hit, or face a longer road to recovery, than the travel agency industry. According to the American Society of Travel Advisors, with business at a standstill and no end to the pandemic in sight, 64% of travel agencies in the U. S. have laid off at least half of their staff - even with the federal relief programs provided by the CARES Act in March.

Without federal relief, the travel agency sector is looking at an extinction- level event. So what was the response in Congress to this devastation in our industry and many others? After negotiations over the next relief bill deadlocked, they adjourned for their annual “August recess,” and are not scheduled to return until mid- September.

My message to Sens. Cory Gardner, Michael Bennet and Reps. Joe Neguse on behalf of the 140,000 people who work in our industry is simple — get back to work and support the small businesses who desperately need your help. Doing nothing is not an option. The future of our country depends on it!

Susan Hammond, Evergreen