Travelers in Europe are facing different types of travel rules and advice, with each country across the continent emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic at different stages. The different COVID-19 national border restrictions and rules across the Schengen area is causing confusion, perhaps even leading to less cross-border movement.
Inconsistent border constraints are deterring travelers and suppressing the resurgence of Travel & Tourism. The sector’s return is needed to regenerate destinations’ economies and act as a catalyst for the global economic recovery.
A World Travel & Tourism Council, WTTC, research shows that every 2.7% increase in travelers would generate or recover one million jobs in the sector. Coordinated measures could stimulate an increase in travel by as much as 27%, potentially recreating a massive 10 million jobs in Travel and Tourism.
Consumer confusion over travel rules such as the wearing of face masks is evident. It is mandatory on public transport in some countries, such as France and Germany, but not in others such as Norway and Sweden. Meanwhile in Italy, masks must be worn in all enclosed public places whereas in Switzerland, for all enclosed public spaces other than on public transport, it is only a recommendation that people should wear masks if they can’t maintain a distance of 1.5 meters from others.
Medical advice, including from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that the use of face masks helps reduce the risk of transmission up to 90%, protects the user and those around them, as well as reintroducing a greater sense of normality for travelers. The WTTC has warned that a lack of coordinate policies could cause the fragile recovery to stutter and slowdown, putting more than 10 million jobs in travel & tourism at risk.
“It is urgent that governments learn from the past and take quick and effective action to coordinate and harmonize travel rules and border requirements to bring consistency for everyone across Europe,” Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said. “Previous crises, including the 2008 financial crash, shows where governments coordinate to align policies, their leadership resulted in a quicker recovery.
To align policies, governments are encouraged to consider other country measures, including infection rates, the percentage of tests and contact tracing, the health system’s ability to cope with COVID-19 and the public’s acceptance of mask-wearing and observance of social distancing is also important.
“This climate of uncertainty for travelers and holidaymakers is the last thing they need at a time when the tourism sector is crying out for consistency,” said Guevara. “The restoration of consumer confidence, during the most important season of the year in one of the world’s largest regions for Travel & Tourism cannot be understated.
