NEWS
Euro destinations gear up to reopen
Ben Ireland
Destinations across Europe have signalled they are ready to open for tourism this summer as and when restrictions are lifted. Greece has looked to capitalise
on its low rate of Covid-19 for a swift return of visitors. Foreign minister Nikos Dendias said hotels, beaches and archaeological sites are reopening. “Now that our efforts are
s on ‘air bridges’ The industry backs
air bridges, but if FCO advice against travel does not change, it’s not going to work
Dale Keller, chief executive of the
UK Board of Airline Representatives, said: “Air bridges are going to require some reciprocity. “It will require traffic both ways
to start. Getting away from a blanket quarantine is going to need work.” He pointed out: “A lot of
countries have restrictions in place on anyone arriving at the moment.” But he added: “The longer they delay the announcement, the more time there is to get exceptions in place.” Keller said: “There is no question
the industry supports air bridges to get beyond blanket self-isolation. But
travelweekly.co.uk
if FCO advice against all but essential travel does not change, it’s not going work. It’s an essential element.” A senior industry source agreed,
saying: “For now, you’re only talking about quarantine of ‘essential’ travellers. What matters to the industry is what the situation may be in six weeks. Then it depends on the Foreign Office advice.” Keller also warned: “If agreements
can’t be made, the government may just crack on with blanket isolation and the industry will have to comply.” Abta this week wrote to prime
minister Boris Johnson urging that quarantine measures form part of a wider strategy, including revision of FCO advice against all but essential travel. The association reported it is working with the Association of British Insurers to ensure cover is available to travellers when blanket
FCO advice is lifted. i Business, back page
21 MAY 2020 5
bearing fruit, we can proceed, step by step, to open up to tourism,” he added. Tourism minister Harry Theocharis called for a quarantine-free deal with the UK. In Italy, lockdown restrictions
are to be eased from June 3 to allow international travel – the same day its citizens will be allowed to travel freely again. Spain’s transport minister this
week said he hoped to welcome foreign visitors back to the country “from late June”. Jose Luis Abalos added: “As
soon as we Spaniards can travel to other provinces, foreigners will be able to come to Spain.” Gabriel Llobera, president
of the Balearic Hotel Chain Association, said 40% of the
Athens
islands’ hotels were preparing to reopen between July and October. Pedro Homar, president of
the Palma Tourist Board, said the Majorcan capital was “preparing for tourism to be reinstated as soon as possible”. In the Canaries, Tenerife’s tourist board said it had a “favourable situation” for a swift return to tourism on the island. Portugal, where there is no
quarantine on arrivals except on the island of Madeira, is to reopen beaches from June 6 with visitors obliged to social distance by 1.5m. Algarve Tourism has also said it is “open for tourists this summer”. Downing Street moved to
quash reports last week of a blanket exemption for travel to France after the PM said “no quarantine measures would apply”. French president Emmanuel Macron said there would be a “limit” to arrivals and that it was “too early” to predict when international travel would resume. Tui chief executive Fritz Joussen
said the UK’s largest operator was “ready to provide trips” to some destinations by July “at the latest”. He said the Balearics, the Canaries, Greece and Cyprus would be
among the first to return. i Tui half-year results, page 31
PICTURES: Shutterstock
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