Spain welcomes foreign tourists from July.
A welcome news for the major charter companies in Sweden. As soon as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel advice ends on July 15, they are prepared to resume travel to Spain.
On Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez delivered a long-awaited message to the country's most important industry, tourism, which has suffered severely during the virus crisis.
”There will be a tourist season this summer with the aim of resuming national tourism, and therefore I urge all the country's establishments, bars, restaurants and destinations to restart their activities.”
Pedro Sánchez gave no details – such as the exact date – about the decision to allow tourists from abroad, only that it should happen under ”safe conditions”.
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against "non-essential travel to all countries" until July 15. The advice may be extended or shortened depending on how the situation develops, according to Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S).
Charter companies Apollo, Tui and Ving unanimously state that they primarily follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other authorities.
”"We are now planning for a scenario where we can get started in mid-July," says Ving's communications manager Fredrik Henriksson to TT.
Developments in the destinations will determine the extent of the delayed start of the season, according to him:
”"It depends on what it means when you go there. If you have to quarantine, it's not so fun, but I don't think the countries require that."”
Tour operator Tui also intends to resume operations from mid-July.
”"We have taken measures for all parts of the trip. For the hotels, there is a ten-point program with new routines to ensure safety and hygiene, for example fewer guests in the restaurants, reduced buffets and training of staff," says Sandra Englund, press contact at Tui, to TT.
Fredrik Henriksson at Ving hopes that EU countries will soon reach an agreement on which procedures will apply to tourist transport and events.
”"Maybe we'll know more next week about how it's going to be. We've seen Greece, Italy and other countries discussing how to open up. And now Spain too."”
”The signals are positive, but a lot depends on what restrictions and safety procedures will be in place,” he says.
Source: TT
