Are corona passports the savior of tourism in 2021? Probably not, but they are another tool to make travel easier, say tour operators.
Neither Ving nor Tui expect vaccination certificates to be used to any great extent this summer.
European tourism does not look set to return to the same levels as 2019 this year, despite the hopes of brighter times that existed when vaccinations started. The European Commission states this in a report released last week.
To save tourism, several countries have proposed corona passports – a kind of certificate of vaccination – which would make it easier for travelers to travel abroad, but the proposal is far from being embraced by all countries.
The World Health Organization has also rejected it, partly because it is not certain that vaccination will stop the spread of the infection.
”A test”
Fredrik Henriksson, communications manager at tour operator Ving, does not believe that corona passes will be used to any great extent this year.
– We believe that it will be a test. There are quite a few who may not have had time to get a vaccine, or do not want to get a vaccine. Not everyone will have a vaccination pass and they cannot be excluded from mobility. So we believe that it will be a vaccination pass and an opportunity to travel with a negative test.
Tui also says that the corona passport will likely be one of several tools that countries can use to increase the safety of tourists and the host country. Adam Györki, communications manager at the company, says that Tui hopes for a uniform decision within the EU.
– All decisions that are clear and that apply generally create clarity for customers and companies. It becomes easier and better to relate to.
Tourism fell 70 percent last year
The view on corona passports is dividing the EU. France and Germany have been averse to the idea, citing privacy concerns and the risk of discrimination. Countries such as Greece and Spain have advocated corona passports.
According to figures released by the European Commission last week, the number of overnight stays by foreign guests plummeted by around 70 percent across almost the entire Union last year.
Large cities lost the most, partly due to reduced demand for weekend trips and business trips, while tourist resorts accessible by car fared best.
Source: svt.se
