The World Travel & Tourism Council has responded to a key meeting of EU tourism ministers, and welcomed a Europe-wide coordinated approach to revive the tourism sector.
A group of European Union ministers discussed a collective strategy for the recovery in a virtual meeting.
It also supported a proposal by Malta’s Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli for an amendment to the Package Travel Directive, to address issues now faced by travel operators and consumers caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"WTTC welcomes the outcome of the latest meeting of EU tourism ministers as they seek to find ways to support and protect the embattled travel and tourism sector in each of their home markets and across Europe," said Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC.
"We are deeply encouraged that ministers of Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain, recognise that while each member state is responsible for its own response, a European-wide coordinated approach is critical."
"During this important meeting, tourism ministers agreed to urgently conclude negotiations and a coordinated response to allow free movement, which is very encouraging and will be a huge step towards recovery," Guevara added.
Intra-European travel has been stymied by a disparate array of entry and quarantine rules with countries easing and tightening restrictions in response to fluctuating Covid-19 infection rates.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
