Tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 13 May, setting out the overall strategy for the tourism and transport sectors in the aftermath of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Further information:

The coronavirus pandemic has affected societies to great extent, in particular those infected and those in the frontlines, but also businesses and families at large due to the restrictions imposed upon everyone. Understandably, there is great desire for rest and fresh air along with a safe and coordinated return to some normality.

This Communication and related initiatives aim at offering guidance so the European tourism ecosystem - including travel, transport, accommodation, food, recreation and culture - is able to mitigate the impact of the virus outbreak and its aftermath. The need for such framework arises from the social and economic importance of this sector to so many regions and cities across the European Union (EU).

The package of initiatives is about helping Member States to lift confinement measures and resume businesses, work and social life, in line with epidemiological and public health criteria. It builds on the Joint European Roadmap towards lifting coronavirus containment measures. The framework is based on common, objective and nondiscriminatory principles, criteria and recommendations to guide Member States and all relevant stakeholders.

This Communication is a part of a package of initiatives and recommendations, which also include:

• Common approach to lifting restrictions of free movement at EU internal borders;
• Common framework to support the gradual re-establishment of transport;
• Recommendation on travel vouchers as alternative to cash reimbursement;
• Common criteria and principles for restoring tourism activities.

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Commentary and Analysis

Politico, 12/05/2020: Schengen proves hard to reboot after system meltdown https://www.politico.eu/article/schengen-proves-hard-to-reboot-after-system-meltdown/

Forbes, 13/05/2020: How Europe Is Opening Up For Safe Summer Travel https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarathiessen/2020/05/13/europe-opening-up-for-safe-summer-travel/#3c538aba1088

Euro|topics, May 2020: Summer holidays: EU Commission presents guidelines https://www.eurotopics.net/en/240477/

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News

The Guardian, 12/05/2020: EU could reopen borders to tourists in Covid-19 recovery plan https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/12/eu-reopen-borders-tourists-covid-19-recovery-plan

BBC News, 13/05/2020: We will have summer tourist season, promises EU https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52644816

Euronews, 13/05/2020: Summer holiday rescue package? EU set out plan to save your vacation https://www.euronews.com/2020/05/13/summer-holiday-rescue-package-eu-set-out-plan-to-save-your-vacation

EurActiv, 13/05/2020: Commission proposes gradual lifting of borders, in bid to save Europe’s summer https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/commission-proposes-gradual-lifting-of-borders-in-bid-to-save-europes-summer/

RTÉ News, 13/05/2020: EU seeks to reopen borders for summer https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0513/1138116-airlines-eu/

Reuters, 13/05/2020: EU pushes to reopen borders for summer tourism amidst coronavirus https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN22O38B

Politico, 13/05/2020: Flying post coronavirus: Compulsory masks and no airport goodbyes https://www.politico.eu/article/draft-air-safety-guidelines-call-for-no-airport-testing-and-empty-seats-in-planes/

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Official

European Commission: Press Release, 13/05/2020: Tourism and transport: Commission's guidance on how to safely resume travel and reboot Europe's tourism in 2020 and beyond https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_854

European Commission: Questions and Answers, 13/05/2020: Tourism and Transport Package https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_870

European Commission: Speech by Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager on the Tourism and Transport Package, 13 May 2020 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_879

European Commission: Speech by Commissioner Breton on the Tourism & Transport Package, 13 May 2020 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_878

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