The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA), which includes the National Association of Travel Agencies in Romania (ANAT), criticizes member states for failing to adhere to a unified European Union travel policy amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, states continue to independently decide which countries to lift travel bans for and issue travel warnings for entire nations, even when problematic areas with high infection rates are easily identifiable and localized.
“We must move past these chaotic policies and make decisions to lift travel restrictions based on a scientific approach, to allow for the relaunch of travel and tourism with confidence,” stated the organization’s president, Pawel Niewiadomski.
The European Union has officially removed Serbia and Montenegro from the list of safe third countries from which non-essential travel is permitted, reducing the number of targeted states to 12. Thus, the list now includes Algeria, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main criticism from ECTAA regarding travel restrictions?ECTAA criticizes the lack of a unified EU policy and the practice of issuing travel warnings for entire countries instead of targeting specific, high-risk localized zones.
What approach does the ECTAA president recommend for tourism recovery?President Pawel Niewiadomski advocates for a science-based approach to lifting restrictions to replace current chaotic policies and restore confidence in travel.
Which countries remain on the EU’s safe list for non-essential travel?The list currently includes 12 countries: Algeria, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay.