Greece has won praise from the World Travel & Tourism Council for its plans to reopen for international travel from May 14.
The Greek government’s clear roadmap to recovery could reopen the door to a “bumper summer” of travel for sun-starved holidaymakers, according to WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara.
“It also lays out the pathway which other countries could follow, in a bid to kickstart safe travel and help revive their own stricken economies,” she said.
“The Greek government’s strategy and measures revealed are broadly in line with WTTC advice and we are pleased it will soon be welcoming travellers with proof of vaccination, a negative test or a positive antibody test, with only positive cases required to quarantine.
“These entry requirements along with random rapid tests on arrival, enhanced health and hygiene measures and mandatory mask wearing throughout the travel journey and in public spaces will provide the reassurance consumers need to book their trips.”
Guevara added: “Greece is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for travellers and as such, relies heavily upon international travel, with Germany and the UK as its most important source markets.
“In 2019, it’s travel and tourism sector contributed 20.8% to the nation’s overall GDP (€39.1 billion) and supported more than one fifth of all jobs – which shows just how important travel and tourism will be to powering its economy.
“We strongly believe the Greek roadmap shows the practical way forward for other countries to encourage the return of safe travels, as vaccine rollouts gain momentum to return the world’s mobility to get the globe moving again.”