BUSINESS NEWS


EU’s plan for certificates ‘depends on 27 nations’


Ian Taylor


Industry lobbyists in Brussels have cast doubt on the rapid introduction of digital green certificates for travellers in Europe. EU leaders pledged to develop


certification “as a matter of urgency” at a summit on March 25. But Christina Russe, deputy secretary general of European travel agents’ and tour operators’ association Ectaa, warned: “It’s all rather vague.” Speaking on a webinar hosted


by European travel association Etoa, Russe said: “Hopefully, the digital green certificate will come out by the summer. But these are just recommen- dations – the member states decide.” She pointed out: “When it comes


to the pandemic, we are not Europe, we are 27 member states and each thinks they have the solution and the data and know better how to deal with it. They all have different travel restrictions.” Airlines for Europe policy director


Agnes Leroux agreed, saying: “The [digital green certificate] initiative comes from the EC, but member states have to implement it and that


Tauck boss fears US firms will ‘lose’ summer in Europe


There is “a real risk” that US tourism to Europe this summer “will be lost” without a plan to reopen borders. That is according to Jennifer Tombaugh, president of US tour


travelweekly.co.uk Jennifer Tombaugh


can take time. I want to be optimistic but it will be a challenge.” She told the Etoa webinar:


“Before it is digital, green certificates will be paper forms. It does not make much sense when you want to avoid interaction, but that is the reality. If we get one harmonised form across the EU, we will be moving forward.” Russe added: “We still have a lot of


discussions around certificates. One issue is it should not be discriminatory in the sense that only vaccinated people can travel. It should be made clear it is not a health pass, just proof you comply with the travel restrictions.


The EU ‘still has a lot of discussions around certificates’


“The other issue is protection


of personal data. This is the reason the EC only proposed a temporary certificate. Measures requesting people show a health credential can only be required as long as restrictions are necessary. As soon as most of the population is vaccinated we can ditch the health certificate.” Tourism ministers from 13 EU


states held a virtual summit last week to discuss the rollout of a certificate. A first phase of development will


focus on certification of test results, with a second phase in June to include proof of vaccination.


EC backs €400m Dutch loan scheme for travel refunds


The European Commission has approved a €400 million loan scheme by the Dutch government to support travel companies paying refunds on package holidays cancelled due to Covid-19. Announcing the approval last


week, EC executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager said: “Many consumers have had their package travel cancelled and received vouchers in exchange, which could not be used given the prolonged coronavirus crisis. This €400 million Dutch loan scheme will enable companies providing package travel and linked travel arrangements to refund consumers in cash.” Companies will be eligible for a


loan covering up to 80% of the value of outstanding vouchers, up to a maximum of €50 million. However, firms in financial difficulty before the beginning of 2020 will not be eligible for loans. Travel Weekly has previously


reported on the failure to apply package travel rules on refunds consistently around Europe. German lawyer Klaus Siebert reported in February that most consumers in his country “are not accepting vouchers and claiming full refunds”.


operator Tauck, who insisted: “The challenge is that there is no plan and the continuing uncertainty makes it difficult to prepare.” Tombaugh told a webinar hosted


by European travel association Etoa: “If a plan is not announced soon, there is a real risk the summer in Europe will be lost. We need to know when borders might open, what is required to make that happen and how it’s going to work.” Etoa policy director Tim


Fairhurst agreed: “The uncertainty is unsustainable. Politicians are failing to make decisions fast enough and failing to reach a coordinated position. The impact is serious not just on demand but also on supply.” He warned of “very serious


difficulty unless we can give some clarity to buyers and suppliers”. Tombaugh argued: “We’re


hopeful we might see some countries with high vaccination rates like the UK ‘peel off ’.”


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PICTURE: Shutterstock


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