Vitalpin: Stage Victory For Freedom Of Travel At EU Level

Vitalpin, the alpine-wide tourism association, together with 70 important European travel and tourism organizations, has called on the national governments within the European Union to urgently adopt the proposals of the European Commission to restore freedom of travel. The targeted negotiation date on January 10, 2022 is too late!

The winter season, including the all-important Christmas business, must not be canceled again.

Against the background of the ongoing Covid crisis, the situation is worsening, threatening the very existence of the tourism industry. "It is urgently necessary to replace the current evaluation standards and finally to ensure that the freedom to travel in Europe is sustainably restored and a patchwork of regulations within Europe is avoided," said Hannes Parth, Chairman of Vitalpin.

The requirements in detail:

1. No more general travel restrictions / warnings, but the implementation of an individual "traveler-based" approach: People who have a valid Covid-19 EU certificate (DCC) can travel freely without additional requirements (no tests, Quarantine measures, etc.). This goes hand in hand with the discontinuation of the use of the ECDC cards as a source of information for travel restrictions.

2. Recognition of the entire list of WHO vaccines with no additional requirements for travelers and staff

3. Uniform period of validity for vaccination and recovery certificates within Europe

4. Recognition of the DPLF form (European Digital Passenger Locator Form) by all member states in order to facilitate contact tracking across EU borders

Speed ​​is decisive

Theresa Haid, Managing Director of Vitalpin explains: "Together with 70 major travel and tourism organizations in Europe (e.g. TUI, ETOA, Global Blu, ETC, WTTC, etc.) we have taken measures for an urgently needed, coordinated approach to the European Commission Travel in Europe submitted and an assurance received for consideration. But the planned voting date with the national governments on January 10, 2022 is too late. We cannot and must not lose another winter season including the all-important Christmas business. "

The tourism industry is one of the hardest hit industries and is of crucial macroeconomic importance, especially for the Alpine region. There are winter tourism businesses in the Alpine region that have been closed for 20 months in the last two years. And this despite the fact that comprehensive security concepts have been developed, tested and found to be effective. This is also confirmed by the health authorities such as the ECDC at the European level or the AGES, for example in Austria. Only 1 - 2% of infections take place in hotels or restaurants.

Vitalpin represents the interests of a million people and businesses who depend on a functioning tourism and now urges the national governments: “The decision must be pushed NOW. Agreement on the proposals of the Council and on measures relating to the travel and tourism industry is needed this year, ”said Parth.