(28 April 2020) – Nine southern member states have called on the EU to come up with an “homogenous” plan to help tourism mitigate the catastrophic financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
At a videoconference yesterday, nine member states (Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, France, Malta, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania) issued a statement calling on the European Commission to include tourism in the upcoming EU Recovery Plan.
They said “homogenous” travel rules would be needed and warned that a disorderly relaxation of lockdown measures would further distort the tourism sector.
They also said the newly established SURE programme, as well as fresh European Investment Funds, should support employment in the industry throughout the crisis.
The Commission is due to make recommendations on summer holidays this year, which according to President Ursula von der Leyen will have to be “smart”.
Croatian tourism minister Gari Cappelli has asked for a common protocol on travel, including the so-called “COVID-19 passport”. (EurActiv)