Is the EU poised for a summer tourism surge?
Things are looking up for the EU tourism industry. A recent survey found that more than half of Europeans want to visit another European country this summer. And it seems that the pieces are currently in place for these prospective travelers to get their wish. It will also provide some much needed stimulus to the hotel, restaurant, and entertainment industries.
In mid-June, the EU added eight countries to its “safe travel” list — most notably, the United States — making it easier for citizens of these countries to travel to all 27 member states. This is a particularly welcome announcement as Americans spent more than $52 billion on European trips in 2018.
However, the UK is yet to be white listed. While nearly 50% of UK citizens are fully vaccinated, there are concerns around the spread of the delta variant. In fact, the government recently postponed lifting coronavirus restrictions because of rising rates of infections.
Brits play an important role in EU tourism — for example, they are among the biggest spenders in Spain and Greece — which could have a major impact in certain markets.
Also, as of June, the European Union Digital COVID Certificants (EUDCC) are being issued to citizens of 17 member countries. The vaccine passports — which are also known as the EU Digital Green Certificate — provide digital proof about whether a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result, or recovered from the virus.
Adoption of the EUDCC is expected to continue to rise, even among countries that do not belong to the EU. For example, Iceland has begun issuing the certificate, and Lichtenstein, Switzerland, and Norway are ready to connect to the EUDCC gateway.
The goal of this tool is to facilitate safe and free movement in Europe by exempting holders from certain restrictions. For example, mandatory quarantines upon arrival in a new country.
However, there is one looming factor that will likely determine the fate of the EU tourist season: the delta variant. And while infections are currently low in Europe, many countries may soon be implementing new restrictions to keep it that way.
For example, after opening to EU and UK visitors in mid-May, Portugal recently put strict rules in place around Lisbon, where more than half of all COVID cases are the delta variant. This includes a 3pm curfew for restaurants, cafes, and non-food shops on weekends. These restrictions will also be enforced in other popular tourist destinations in the country.
In short, there is a lot of room for optimism for EU tourism this summer, but there is also cause for caution. My advice? Buy that ticket while you can, educate yourself on the requirements for your intended destination, travel safely and intelligently, social distance and wear a mask where necessary and, of course, eat well.
Danilo Diazgranados is an investor, collector, and lover of fine wines and a member of the prestigious Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, a fraternity of Burgundy wine enthusiasts.
