After months of lockdown, European destinations are slowly starting to welcome back tourists in time for the peak summer travel season.
Earlier in May, thousands of British holidaymakers made their way to Portugal to begin their holidays with the influx a welcome tonic for the country’s struggling tourism industry.
"We're very excited about this news. The repercussion of the decision is being felt by every type of hotel, from hostels to five-star," Eliderico Viegas, head of the Algarve regional hotel association told the Reuters news agency.
Portugal is one of only a small number of countries where British tourists can travel freely with many in the travel industry frustrated by the limited reopening. A far greater proportion are on the amber list but there have been confusing messages about travel to these countries. Mark Tanzer, CEO of travel trade body ABTA, said the “negative sentiment and mixed messages from Government about foreign travel took the shine off” what was an “important week for the industry and will have damaged consumer confidence and the recovery, just as travel restarted.”
In 2019 the UK was the fourth biggest spender on outbound tourism, behind only China, the United States and Germany and countries across Europe and the rest of the world will be desperate to welcome visitors safely.
Portugal’s Iberian neighbour Spain started allowing back UK tourists this week but UK rules mean they must still take tests and quarantine when they arrive back.
“I have to expect that on the next review that Spain is going to change its notification [from amber to green].”
Not every country feels the same way, however, Germany has recently decided to ban British travellers from entering because of concerns over virus variants.
Elsewhere on the continent, progress has been made at European Union level to bring a Covid-19 travel pass to enable free movement for work and tourism across the bloc. The EU parliament has now agreed a deal with the member states with final voting approval set for next month. The certificates will come into force at the start of July.
Virginia Messina, senior vice president at the World Travel and Tourism Council said: “WTTC welcomes the agreement reached on the EU Digital Covid Certificate, which has now been given the green light by all member states. This new certificate could be the key to unlocking international travel and save thousands of businesses and millions of jobs across Europe and beyond.
In further good news for the beleaguered travel and hospitality industry, NBC news reported last week that fully-vaccinated tourists from the US and other countries would no longer have to quarantine or get tested.