The coronavirus-hit U.S. travel industry on Friday asked Congress for 10 billion U.S. dollars in federal grants to promote safe practices, new liability protections and tax credits for travelers and the industry.

The U.S. Travel Association, which represents hotels, car rental companies, American Express, airports and tourism agencies, also wants 13 billion dollars for U.S. airports and a refundable tax credit of up to 50 percent of travel expenses through the end of 2022 of up to 3,000 dollars per family.

"As the virus continues to wreak havoc on society, the situation in the travel industry is only getting worse. The industry is now on track to shrink by 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars by the end of the year," the group's policy chief, Tori Emerson Barnes, told Congress. "The travel industry is facing an economic environment that is 10 times worse than the aftermath of 9/11."

The Labor Department has said that the travel industry has lost more than four million jobs since March.

The group also called for additional payroll assistance and asked to restore the food and entertainment business expense deduction to encourage business spending, for boosting an employee retention tax credit.

The proposal joins a growing number of requests for government assistance.

Airline unions have sought 32 billion dollars in funds for carriers and contractors for payroll costs, while public transit agencies want up to 36 billion dollars, Amtrak 1.5 billion dollars and bus companies 15 billion dollars.

U.S. passenger airlines, which were approved for 50 billion dollars in March in grants and loans from Congress, said Thursday they are not actively seeking assistance but would accept a new bailout if it came without additional strings.

Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer told reporters Friday, "we haven't gotten any requests from the airlines."

Democrats previously made sure "workers were taken care of if the airlines need aid and that's going to continue to be our watchword," he added.

(Cover: VCG)