On Monday 27 April, in a meeting held by videoconference, the European Tourism Ministers insisted on the crucial role that the tourism sector should play in the nascent recovery plan for the European economy (see EUROPE 12743/1).
This request was supported by the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, who participated in the videoconference.
"Our mission is to be, as members of the European Union and as part of the most successful tourist region in the world, a leader in the recovery of tourism, which as a horizontal activity directly affects the recovery of the entire economy", said Croatian Minister of Tourism Gari Cappelli, who chaired the meeting.
The representatives of the EU27 also called for enhanced European coordination and additional common solutions to the crisis facing the tourism industry, which is currently at a standstill due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In particular, several Ministers stressed the importance of a harmonised response to the reimbursement of travel packages. In this respect, the Commission was invited to define, as a matter of priority, a European approach offering tour operators some flexibility and enabling them to retain cash flow without harming consumers.
Taking part in the discussions, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton called on Member States to ensure that workers in the tourism sector benefit as much as possible from the emergency measures and funds already mobilised at European level (see EUROPE 12471/6).
Nine ministers sign a joint declaration
On Monday, nine Member States - Bulgaria, Cyprus, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Romania - also presented a joint declaration calling for a European recovery plan for the tourism industry.
This plan "would also meet the specific needs of certain territories including outermost regions and islands and ensure intra-European mobility by supporting airlines and establishing common safety standards", they stressed.
In particular, these countries require additional economic measures as well as dedicated funds to help companies in the sector remain competitive.
To read the joint statement: https://bit.ly/2zBBQYf
What are the policies for the resumption of tourist activity?
"Everyone has made it clear that it will still be some time before the industry can get back to normal", German Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism Thomas Bareiß told the press. "I think there will be more scope for regional vacations this year", he added.
However, Mr Cappelli raised the idea of opening 'tourist corridors' between member states, stressing that before the crisis, "more than three quarters of international trips made by EU citizens were made towards other EU countries".
The Croatian minister also considered that "it would be extremely important to include epidemiologists in the overall process of opening up borders" and that they should be consulted in order to define the necessary measures to ensure the safety of potential tourists.
"Safety is the first priority. Nevertheless, we want to be a little more flexible", agreed Mr Bareiß, suggesting that common health standards could, for example, be implemented in the future in airports, restaurants and hotels.
On Tuesday, EU interior ministers will discuss the conditions for a gradual lifting of restrictions on crossing the internal borders of the Schengen area of free movement of persons (see EUROPE 12475/7). (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)