The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called for more consistent travel rules and advice from European countries regarding COVID-19 to counter the confusion among travelers and holidaymakers. Those traveling to Europe for the first time since travel restrictions began to ease have faced a bewildering array of different rules and travel recommendations. Furthermore, each country on the continent is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic at different stages, thus delaying the recovery. The uneven patchwork of COVID-19 restrictions and rules across national borders within the supposedly single Schengen area is a clear deterrent to cross-border movement.
The sector's recovery is urgently needed to revitalize destinations and act as a catalyst for global economic recovery. WTTC research shows that a 2.7% increase in travelers would create or recover one million jobs in the sector. Governments, working together with appropriate coordinated measures, could stimulate an increase in travel of up to 27%, thereby facilitating 10 million jobs in the travel and tourism industry.
Consumer confusion regarding travel regulations, such as mask-wearing, is evident. Masks are mandatory on public transport in some countries, like France and Germany, but only recommended in Norway and Sweden. Meanwhile, in Malta, masks must be worn in all public places, and in Poland, they are not required if physical distancing can be maintained. Medical advice, including from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is clear that mask-wearing helps reduce the risk of transmission by up to 90%, protects the wearer and those around them, and restores a greater sense of normalcy for travelers.
However, the WTTC warns that unless European governments make a greater effort to align their policies, the fragile recovery will slow, jeopardizing 16 million jobs in the travel and tourism sector.
Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the WTTC, said: “The WTTC is calling on all European heads of state to unite for the benefit of the millions of people who depend on this sector in Europe; both travelers and workers.
“It is urgent that governments learn from the past and take swift and effective action to coordinate and harmonize travel rules and border requirements to ensure consistency for everyone across Europe.” Previous crises, including the 2008 financial crisis, demonstrate that when governments coordinate to harmonize policies, their leadership leads to a faster recovery.
“We are encouraged to see that more and more travelers are looking to holiday destinations in Europe following the easing of travel restrictions. Unfortunately, the lack of coordination between countries has created inconsistencies, meaning we are failing to rebuild the confidence of potential travelers. Anyone traveling from one European country to another faces a bewildering difference in travel advice, which could seriously hinder the recovery of the travel and tourism sector.”.
“This climate of uncertainty for travelers is the last thing they need at a time when the Travel and Tourism sector is desperately calling for consistency. Restoring consumer confidence during the most important season of the year in one of the world’s largest regions for Travel and Tourism cannot be underestimated.”.
“The time to work together is now. The private Travel and Tourism sector wants to work in partnership with governments and destinations using the WTTC’s Safe Travels protocols, carefully designed to bring clarity and eliminate consumer confusion.”.
The travel and tourism sector contributes 9.1% to Europe's GDP, amounting to $2,018.2 billion. Last year, according to the WTTC's Travel and Tourism Economic Impact Report for 2020, the sector was responsible for 37.1 million jobs (9.7% of total employment in Europe).
WTTC has recently published a Traveler's Guide, with ten points for safe and seamless travel, including testing and contact tracing to ensure people can enjoy safe travel in the "new normal".
The well-being of travelers and the millions of people who work in the travel and tourism sector is fundamental to the WTTC's Safe Travels protocols, which are supported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
