The business travel sector has welcomed yesterday’s
announcement by the European Commission of a proposal for Digital Green Certificates to indicate a traveller's Covid test and
vaccination status which could facilitate a return to cross-border travel in
Europe as early as June.
Catherine Logan, GBTA’s regional VP for Europe, said: “We
are already witnessing some European countries opening up their borders with
differing entry requirements and timelines. GBTA is calling for a European-wide
solution to facilitate a consistent plan and avoid a fragmented approach across
the 27 member countries.
“An EU-wide recognised certificate proposed by the European
Commission will help to restart travel after a devastating year for the
business travel industry, valued at US$392 billion in Europe. The need for a quick agreement and speedy, uniform
implementation, based on data-driven decisions is crucial to the success of
this proposal.”
Aviation associations have
also thrown their weight behind the proposals.
Airlines for Europe, Airports
Council International Europe, the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association
of Europe, CANSO, the European Regions Airline Association and IATA said the certificates
would be “a key tool to facilitate a safe and efficient resumption of travel
and tourism in Europe”.
They called on the EU
Council and the European Parliament to urgently approve the Commission
proposal, and for all EU states to immediately begin preparations for their
implementation.
The group also urged EU governments “to ensure the
certificates are operational in time for the peak summer travel months - with vaccination certificates, in
particular, enabling the elimination of all restrictions to travel whilst
recognising that vaccination should not be mandatory in order to travel”.
IATA said, "In stark contrast to the restart roadmap set out by the UK, EU work has yet to be initiated on this – leaving hundreds of thousands of travel and tourism businesses and their employees across Europe in the dark as to their prospects for a restart and related planning."
Gloria Guevara, president & CEO, WTTC said: “The World Travel & Tourism Council and its members say the proposal from the European Commission, which would see all EU member states adopt the Digital Green Certificate, is a major step towards the recovery of travel & tourism in the region.
“We would like to congratulate the European Commission for its incredible efforts in bringing this to life in such a short period of time. The onus is now on member states and the European Parliament to adopt this new initiative, and we urge them to take the necessary steps to implement it as a matter of urgency.
“The proposed Digital Green Certificate, along with enhanced health and hygiene measures and mandatory mask wearing, will provide the reassurance consumers need to book their trips and ensure the return of safe international travel."