The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called for more consistent travel rules and COVID-19 advice at borders in European countries to avoid confusion for travellers.
A press release said the inconsistencies in border restrictions and rules across the Schengen Zone were a deterrent to cross-border movement at a time when the return of the tourism sector was needed to regenerate destinations and act as a catalyst for global economic recovery.
WTTC research shows that every 2,7% increase in travellers would generate or recover one million jobs in the sector, and governments working together with the right co-ordinated measures could stimulate an increase in travel by as much as 27%.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and ceo, said: “It is urgent that governments learn from the past and take quick and effective action to co-ordinate and harmonise travel rules and border requirements to bring consistency for everyone across Europe. Previous crises, including the 2008 financial crash, show that where governments co-ordinate to align policies, (this) results in a quicker recovery.
“Anyone travelling from one European country to the next faces a bewildering difference in travel advice, covering masks, testing and contact tracing, which could seriously hinder the return of the travel and tourism sector. This climate of uncertainty for travellers and holidaymakers is the last thing they need at a time when the sector is crying out for consistency. The restoration of consumer confidence, during the most important season of the year in one of the world’s largest regions for travel and tourism cannot be understated.”
