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Spanish tourism chief voices concern over Global Travel Taskforce report

A leading Spanish tourism chief has voiced concern over the Global Travel Taskforce’s framework for a return to international travel.

The publication prompted the UK’s second largest operator Jet2 to postpone its holiday programme relaunch by a month until June 24 amid “disappointment” over the taskforce report.

Andalucia’s tourism minister Juan Marin said: “We are saddened to hear that major airlines such as Jet2 have taken the difficult decision to postpone their operations given the lack of clarity around likely start dates or requirements.”

Marin, who represents one of the most popular holiday regions covering southern Spain including the resorts of Marbella and Malaga, added: “While the announcement of the Global Travel Taskforce’s framework for restart highlights a route out of the pandemic and back to international travel, we are still concerned at the lack of certainty surrounding summer holidays.

“We would like to re-emphasise that Andalucía is a safe destination, ready to receive visitors with a series of measures in place including our international travel insurance for Andalucía.

“The international travel insurance offers travellers up to €4,000 of cover on medical expenses, sanitary repatriation and extension of stay in the case of a Covid-19 infection, providing visitors with the confidence that they are safeguarded during their trip.

“We continue to invest in resources to enable our tourism sector to restart operations safely and eagerly anticipate the return of British tourists,” said Marin, vice president of the regional government of Andalucia.

Meanwhile, Kate Kenward, representative of the Travel Industry Alliance – representing nine industry bodies – said: “It is imperative that the government continues to engage with the industry and displays transparency in its decision making, and that we don’t go back to a situation where policy around travel, both inbound and outbound, changes without warning or consultation.

“There are still concerns around the costs of testing and the impact that will have on inbound and outbound travel, and it is imperative that the industry is consulted on the proposed Covid-19 Charter for consumer rights to ensure that the industry is practically able to meet the requirements of such a charter.

“Consumer protection is, of course, critical but must be achievable in the current financial climate and work for all parties, otherwise it will be no sort of protection at all.”

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