European travel association Etoa has warned developments around the EU’s Digital Covid Certificate “are not sufficient” to restart travel around Europe in significant volumes despite being “positive”.
Etoa joined other members of the European Tourism Manifesto alliance of organisations in welcoming the European Parliament’s adoption of regulation enabling the EU Digital Covid Certificate this week, but it noted EU governments remain “very fragmented” in their approach and frequently “regional variations apply”.
The association called for “improved testing capacity, better information on requirements for children and transit passengers and, above all, rapid progress”.
It warned of “a summer of delayed or missed flights, business confusion and consumer frustration” without further progress, pointing out this “is not the political dividend policy makers want”.
Etoa welcomed a European Council recommendation to EU member states to ease travel restrictions on visitors from non-EU countries – including a recommendation that fully vaccinated tourists from non-‘white list’ countries be allowed restriction-free entry.
The EU white list designates non-EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries considered safe for travel.
But Etoa insisted: “These moves are not sufficient. The white list has not been amended since May 6. Europe remains a very fragmented and uncertain business environment, especially for group travel. Member states retain competence and regional variations apply.
“Information on access to attractions, social distancing requirements and coach capacity is not easy to obtain. Ensuring clients can be tested prior to their return home, if required, remains problematic.”
The association also argued: “Ports and airports will need additional resources to cope with the additional checks [to ensure] passengers meet health requirements.”
The European Tourism Manifesto alliance of more than 60 organisations welcomed completion of the latest stage in developing an EU Digital Covid Certificate and urged member states to “ensure swift implementation”.
The Digital Covid Certificate is due to come into force from July 1, when there will be a six-week phasing in period.
The certificate should certify the holder has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or has recovered from the virus or has recently received a negative test result.
However, use of the certificate will be left up to individual EU states, which will reserve the right to impose restrictions on holders, including testing or quarantine, for public health reasons.
The Manifesto group called on member states to “refrain from imposing additional travel restrictions on certificate holders”.