Fritz Joussen, CEO of the TUI Group, did not shy away from controversy at the annual World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in Mexico. He stated, “Quarantines are poison to the travel industry”.
At the WTTC summit in Mexico, from April 25th-27th, the director of the major tour operator described quarantines imposed on travellers as “a big problem”. He claims they discourage people from travelling; however, this does not apply to the Covid test system. The latter gives confidence and, according to Joussen, arouses much less aversion among travellers.
During his speech, Joussen called on governments to intensify vaccination processes to boost tourism. “If you have been vaccinated, you have the right to travel and enter other countries. That creates trust and that trust makes a big difference”. The German manager used “the great recovery of reservations by Americans to the Caribbean” as an example of a beneficial effect of the good vaccination coverage in the United States.
“Greece very intelligent” regarding quarantines
The CEO of TUI Group called Greece’s decision to open borders to all vaccinated tourists, tourists with antibodies or with a negative corona test (including those from outside the EU) from 14 May as “very intelligent”. Greece is, therefore, ahead of the European Commission’s intention to have a digital green card ready for travellers by June.
Earlier in the week, Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism stated Spain is ready to receive international tourists from June.
Last year TUI Group moved only 10% of travellers compared to normal years. According to the company, the incidence of Covid cases among customers was only 1 in every 100,000.
Contribution of tourism to European GDP decreased by 50%
Travel Weekly announced the expenditure of international tourists in Europe decreased by more than 60% in 2020 compared to 2019. Also, the contribution of the sector to European GDP decreased by more than 50%.
