Tui’s CEO Fritz Joussen has called on EU member states to develop a “roadmap for travel” to ensure holidays are still a possibility for this year.
Joussen said governments needed to provide a “clear perspective” on tourism within Europe and said a roadmap would help to open up travel to countries who have made good progress in the battle against Covid-19. He cited destinations including Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and the Balearics as possibilities for upcoming travel.
He said holidays at home shouldn’t be the only option available for Europeans, while also highlighting that bookings for 2021 were currently at a “favourable level”.
Joussen said: “In Germany and Europe, too, travel and holidays have considerable relevance for people.
“The traffic on our booking websites is 90% compared to the previous year, although travel is currently not possible. Bookings for 2021 are also at a favourable level.
“We must now emerge well from the crisis. Tourism within Europe needs a clear perspective. The EU and the member states should develop a roadmap for travel within Europe and make holidays possible in 2020.
“This includes opening up with tourism and air travel to countries and regions of Europe that have made good progress and are actively promoting the return of holidaymakers, such as Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, the Balearic Islands, Austria or Bulgaria. Holidays at home are an offer, but should not be the only answer for Europe and Europeans.”
His comments came as Tui China announced it was resuming business operations and offering domestic tours for holidaymakers in China, three months after the business was halted to a stop.
Tui China is offering short trips to mountains and Chinese beach resorts under a product named Tui Selection.
Joussen added: “Our offices in Beijing and Shanghai were also in operation during the crisis, but holidays could not be sold. Now we see a clear backlog demand for holiday travel. TUI China will gradually increase its range of offers in the next few weeks.”
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