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A tentative roadmap for the return of tourism to Europe will become clearer on Wednesday when the European Commission publishes a strategy document aimed at ensuring that member states restart the leisure travel sectors in a safe and coordinated manner.
The commission will also issue guidance on how and in what ways airlines, tour operators and travel agencies can offer credit notes in lieu of cash refunds for canceled flights and vacations.
The strategy will outline a three-step approach to reopening the EU’s borders for tourists and will mean that member states “with similar overall risk profiles” work in coordination.
This will be based, in the first instance, on information from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
The report also describes how social distancing and disinfection measures should be implemented by all transport operators, including airlines. And it sets out the steps it believes travel companies should take to ensure “consumer protection in addressing the issue of refund claims.”
The proposals will say that while a legal right to a refund remains in effect should a flight be canceled, it will suggest that all companies and states offer consumers incentive bonuses to make them more attractive.
How about a second Covid-19 wave?
The commission’s suggestions will include insolvency protection, greater flexibility in transferring a coupon from one person to another, and a guarantee that the coupons can be redeemed for a full cash refund if not used within the due date. one year expiration.
The commission will also request “preparedness plans” so that measures can be taken quickly and effectively in the event that the EU is affected by a second wave of coronavirus.
“This will strengthen the confidence of European citizens that the transport, travel and tourism industry should rebuild their recovery,” states the draft document.
The document also includes new measures aimed at preventing discrimination based on a person’s nationality. It makes clear that if the border between two countries is opened, those measures will have to apply to all EU citizens living in both countries and not just to citizens of the two countries involved.
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