More than 60 travel and tourism organizations support the European Commission’s initiative and are calling for it to be implemented quickly in time for summer 2021.

The Alliance of the European Tourism Manifesto, a group of more than 60 public and private travel and tourism organizations and the voice of the sector in Europe, warmly welcomes the European Commission’s proposal[1] Introduction of a joint, interoperable and mutually recognized Digital Green certificate. This digital proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has recovered from the virus or has a negative test result makes it much easier for citizens to move about safely and to restart travel and tourism in the EU.

There are already a number of European countries that facilitate entry into their country if travelers can provide such proof. Other countries are expected to follow suit when vaccinations are introduced and the health situation improves. EU coordination is therefore essential to avoid a fragmented situation with 27 different certificates for testing, vaccination and immunity.

The Alliance urges the European Parliament and the Council to swiftly approve the Commission’s proposal and ensure swift implementation by all Member States. She also calls on the EU to work with the World Health Organization, the OECD and other international bodies to find a global solution for digitizing vaccination, test and immunity records to facilitate international travel when the epidemiological situation allows .

The European travel and tourism sector will benefit from the Commission’s proposal, but this initiative alone will not be enough. The Alliance reaffirms the urgent need to develop a concrete EU roadmap, using a risk-based and data-driven approach, to identify the conditions and scenarios under which current travel restrictions across the EU and beyond could be relaxed and lifted in a coordinated manner. The most recent industry recommendations include:

  • Creation of an EU task force in cooperation with industry and the social partners to restore travel and tourism
  • Coordination of travel restrictions and requirements
  • A harmonized EU framework for travel-related testing with sufficient affordable capacity
  • Coordinated reopening of tourism activities, for example based on the EU guidelines for the gradual resumption of tourism services published on May 13, 2020.

A recent survey has shown the urgency of the need for a common EU framework[2] 54% of the respondents showed a strong pent-up demand after resuming the trip, with 54% aiming for a trip before the end of July 2021. In particular, 41% of those questioned would like to travel to another European country.

“The proposal for a digital green certificate published today is an important step in the right direction. But now is the time. We need a clear plan that defines the conditions and the timing to prepare for the safe restart of travel and tourism in Europe and to be prepared for the critical 2021 summer season! Europe should work together on this and leave no room for fragmentation and unilateral action, ”says Eduardo Santander, Chairman of the Alliance of the European Tourism Manifesto and CEO of the European Travel Commission.

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