A declaration has been put forward to the European Commission by Malta and eight other EU member states calling for better coordination between member states, in order to reduce uncertainties during travel and to restart tourism in the EU.
The countries signing this declaration are Malta, Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain.
These countries stated that whilst respecting public health, it is hoped that disproportionate measures that hamper tourism are not taken within the EU and the Schengen area.
This was one of the points raised by Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli during the first virtual inter-ministerial meeting between EU Tourism Ministers, organised by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Farrugia Portelli also stressed upon the need to begin discussions to amend the Package Travel Directive, so that this addresses the challenges faced by travel operators and consumers in the light of the circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, which were never envisaged when this directive was drafted.
A further issue proposed by the Minister was about the importance of tourism within the recovery plan of the European Commission.
“This can be done by the introduction of a European plan for tourism which clearly pinpoints the objectives and includes a specific budget dedicated towards this industry,” she said.
Reference was also made by Minister Farrugia Portelli to the importance of extending the flexibilities of state aid rules during this recovery period.
This informal meeting between ministers continued discussing the challenges and implications of the pandemic on tourism and the way forward to revive this fundamental industry to the European economy.
Photo by Alain Salvary