The European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) has reaffirmed its call to European governments for a coordinated approach to allow a ‘safe and efficient resumption’ of travel and tourism in Europe and beyond, following an ETRC Supervisory Board meeting yesterday (21 April).

According to latest ACI Europe data, the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis is worsening compared to earlier forecasts.

Passenger traffic in Q1 2021 decreased by 81.7% across the European airport network compared to Q1 2019. This marked a further decrease from the previous quarter (-79.2% in Q4 2020).

ETRC, therefore, welcomes the European Commission proposal for a Digital Green certificate and calls upon the EU Parliament and EU Member States to adopt it and prepare for its implementation in time for the summer period.

By displaying proof that a person has either been vaccinated against Covid-19, received a negative test result or recovered from the virus, the use of such certificates should facilitate the resumption of international travel, according to ETRC.

‘FULLY INTEROPERABLE’ CERTIFICATES

The Confederation also says the certificates should be fully interoperable and mutually recognised so they can be used in an international context.

In parallel, as Covid-19 vaccines successfully roll out across Europe, ETRC calls upon member states to restore freedom of movement by removing national restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe; implementing an affordable and rapid testing system for travel; and ending blanket quarantines by implementing a reliable testing system.

Nigel Keal, President, European Travel Retail Confederation said: “Despite protocols in place to allow for safe travel, many European countries have taken a very restrictive approach when it comes to non-essential travel.

“We hope that the Digital Green Certificate will be part of a broader strategy for a coordinated restart of travel in Europe to provide much-needed certainty for our industry and our travellers ahead of the summer period.”