International travel to US, Southwest Florida will see gradual return

Reporter: Sydney Persing Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
RSW travelers
Credit: WINK News

International travelers are hoping to board airplanes and finally fly back to the United States now that a federal travel ban is lifted for 33 countries.

Southwest Florida is a converted destination for many travelers. So, WINK News went to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) to talk to some of those traveling.

Three flights from Toronto touched down at RSW on Monday. However, the first scheduled flight from Germany doesn’t come in until March. The return of international travel to the U.S. is projected to be gradual.

At airports all across the country at baggage claim 3 at RSW, excitement is in the air. Canadians have been trickling back into the U.S. for weeks. Steve and Alla Churchill came back from Canada.

“It’s exciting because as my husband put it, we’ve been stuck in COVID-19 hell. And time is meaningless. And we are just so happy to be able to be back and see our friends again…just get back to some normalcy it’s been so awful so hard,” Alla said.

An international travel ban on 33 countries was lifted on Monday. Paul Bieres is in charge of tourism in Collier County. “We have been waiting for this day unknowingly for this particular day. For now, 19 months since international travel was seized, it’s a pretty exciting time for us,” said Biernes.

International travelers accounted for 20% of tourism prior to the pandemic. He told me most international visitors won’t be back to Southwest Florida until next summer. For Biernes, that’s okay!

“It will take a little bit of ramping up to get these international flights back into pace. But the pent-up demand that is there, not only in Europe, Latin America, and Canada is definitely there,” Biernes said.

Mot travelers, with some exceptions, will need to be vaccinated and show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. These requirements will be handled at airports abroad.

The only impact expected at RSW is busier baggage claims.

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