The European Tourism Manifesto alliance, the voice of the European travel and tourism sector, has issued a statement on the European Commission’s guidance on how to safely resume travel and reboot Europe’s tourism in 2020 and beyond.
European travel and tourism is one of the ecosystems most affected by the coronavirus crisis. The European Tourism Manifesto alliance welcomes the European Commission’s adoption of a comprehensive package on Tourism and Transport on 13 May 2020 which acknowledges the importance of the travel and tourism sector for the economy and employment in Europe, and it proposes a coordinated approach to the lifting of travel restrictions and safely and gradually re-establishing transportation links and tourism activities.
This package represents a first and important step to facilitate travel in Europe, support the sector’s recovery from this unprecedented crisis and enable a more sustainable tourism ecosystem in the future.
The main messages of the European Tourism Manifesto alliance are:
- National governments should follow the European Commission’s recommendations to lift travel restrictions in a coordinated way and implement harmonised health and safety protocols.
- Governments are asked to carefully reflect before deciding whether all arrivals need to self-isolate and before encouraging domestic tourism only.
- The Commission’s proposal to set up a dedicated website with a map combining real-time information related to tourism is welcome and should be swiftly launched.
- The proposed financial measures shall be adapted to the needs of players of all sizes and made available to all types of workers.
- EU, national and regional governments have to continue to aid and assist the tourism ecosystem to overcome this crisis and strengthen its resilience in the long run. Support for leisure and business travel must be included in recovery plans and actions of all affected economies.
- The European Commission’s vision to create a sustainable future for the travel and tourism ecosystem is applauded.
- The alliance ready to work with the European Commission to accelerate the transformation to the tourism of tomorrow.
Tourism is an engine for economic recovery. However, it needs continuous support and strategic policy integration in order to contribute to the recovery and growth of economies. Working together is key to ensure that we have common rules and offer certainty to travellers.
You can read HERE the full statement.
