EU Move A Step Backwards Says WTTC

Calling it a ‘step backwards,’ WTTC president and CEO, Julia Simpson said that: “Protecting public health must remain the priority and WTTC strongly supports safety protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, the EU’s recommendation to re-impose restrictions on U.S. travellers is a step backwards and will only slow down the recovery of the sector.”

Simpson continued: “With high vaccination levels in both the U.S. and the EU, we should be looking at opening up travel between these two major economies. We need a common set of rules that recognize global vaccines and remove the need to quarantine for people with a negative COVID result.”

The WTTC’s president and CEO pointed out that: “The U.S. is a key source market for many EU Member States, such as France, Italy, Germany and Ireland, and tourism will be critical in restoring normal life and tens of thousands of jobs in both the U.S. and the EU.”

And Simpson concluded: “Rather than imposing further damaging travel restrictions, the EU should be encouraging Member States to use its groundbreaking Digital COVID Certificate to safely restore international travel, fundamental for the European economy.”