The UK has allegedly opted out of a new EU data-sharing
scheme designed to reboot tourism across the continent, eliciting a fresh round
of criticism from travel companies.
The scheme, called Re-open EU, sees member states share
real-time information on border restrictions and available means of transport
and tourism services, as well as public health and safety measures such as
physical distancing or wearing of facemasks. According to the European
Commission, the website and app where travellers can find the information have
been developed to allow them to make “responsible and well-informed decisions
on how to manage continuing risks related to coronavirus while planning their
holidays and travels”.
However, a commission spokesperson told the Guardian
newspaper that the UK had not provided information for the scheme despite
receiving an invitation to participate. A UK government spokesperson said the nation
would expect not to be included in such maps because it is no longer a member
of the EU, adding that it “regularly shares information on our travel, border
and health measures with key partners”.
Responding to the news, Business Travel Association CEO
Clive Wratten told BTN Europe: “It’s a great shame to see the UK opt out of
this scheme. As a result, business travellers are being excluded from a useful
tool that could help get the British economy moving again. We urge the
government to reconsider its approach to sharing data.”
Ralph Hollister, travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData,
commented: “Delayed reaction to slow the spread and buffer the economic impact
of Covid-19, combined with current rules regarding social distancing and
quarantining is significantly delaying the recovery of the UK travel sector.
“The UK now seems to be obstructing progress even further by
opting out of an information-sharing scheme led by the EU. The failure to
adhere to this informative idea could mean that Great Britain will become
further isolated from its European neighbours. This reluctance may deter
countries from attempting to strike up conversation around setting up air
bridges with the UK.”
According to the Guardian, Paul Charles, CEO of the PC
Agency and spokesperson for the Quash Quarantine campaign group, said failure
to take part in the scheme gives “the impression of being closed for business”
and “shows a country that wishes to be isolated”.