Trade groups call for EU travel policy alignment

Sunday, 23 Nov, 2021 0

Travel industry groups across Europe are urging member states to align and coordinate in their responses to the current Covid situation sweeping across Europe.

A broad group of travel and tourism stakeholders called on governments to better coordinate and their heath and travel policy responses to avoid re-imposing restrictions.

It cites the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which states that in the current situation, travel restrictions are ineffective in reducing virus transmission, hospitalisations, or deaths.

They claim limiting border crossings would indeed not carry any public health benefit.

Up to 900,000 jobs could be lost across the EU’s tourism sector this year if travel restrictions are re-imposed this winter, citing WTTC data.

It says European tourism cannot function with ‘inconsistent and constantly changing national approaches.’

"Coordination is the only solution to protect the sector from the effects of prolonged uncertainty in Europe."

The lobby groups are calling for a number of measures including move towards an individual risk-based approach, rather than the current country-to-country approach.

Member states should urgently adopt a common and fully aligned approach on the eligibility as well as timing of booster doses.

The groups, made up of Airlines for Europe, CLIA, WTTC, European Travel Commission and others, also want national governments to support the full digitalisation of the verification process by providing a simple ‘okay to travel’ message as part of the online check-in process.

below social share icons

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

Welcome to WTE Miami WTE Miami is an international travel and tourism expo that offers your company a...

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in...

Arival advances the business of creating amazing in-destination experiences. We provide events, insights, and community for creators and sellers of...

Why Avalon Waterways: Happiness flows on an Avalon river cruise. From Asia to South America and Europe to the Nile,...

River cruising is a treat for the senses, allowing you to see, touch, feel and experience the world like never...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston....

Some describe it as a natural playground. Some say, it’s simply unique as it offers a great array of travel...

Queensland – where it’s rude not to stare Here in Queensland, there’s plenty to do. But there’s even more to...

Palladium Hotel Group is a renowned Spanish hotel chain that first emerged towards the end of the 1960s. Currently present...

We understand the importance of personal touch We do things a bit differently at Eventsquid. We know that we could...

Blue Diamond Resorts consistently goes above and beyond guest expectations by delivering groundbreaking vacation experiences through our exceptional collection of...