If EU member states and relevant countries in the Schengen area do not propose a solution to reopen borders for non-essential travelers from Canada, the United States and Mexico, a total of billions of dollars may be lost by 2021.
According to the latest press release of the European Travel Operators Association (ETOA), the association is a European industry association for improving tourism. It has more than 1,200 members and serves 63 original markets. North America is the most important original market in Europe because of It provides approximately 60 billion euros (70 billion US dollars) per year.
The report also pointed out that only due to the pandemic, in 2020 alone, the total consumption of North American tourists in the European Union and Schengen area countries has dropped by 90% to 95%.
According to ETOA’s Tom Jenkins, potential tourists need to know when the border restrictions may be lifted and under what circumstances, because customers who want to travel to Europe still want to do so, but they need more Many guarantees.
“Long-distance tourists see Europe as a destination: this is what they think and what they plan to travel. So a coordinated response must be made in the Schengen area to determine the conditions needed to resume business” Jenkins pointed out, adding that by 2021, billions of people will be at risk because Europe is seen as too “difficult.” Travelers look for other destinations.
Terry Dale, CEO of the United States Association of Travel Agents (USTOA), pointed out that 14 of the top 20 international destinations visited by USTOA members were European destinations, and the number one question asked by all travel agency members was the reopening of borders.
On the other hand, Brett Walker, chairman of the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO), called for an immediate, coordinated and fully transparent tourism recovery plan.
