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(BRUSSELS) – The EU cranked up plans to relaunch tourism in Europe Monday with the launch of ‘Re-open EU’, an online platform offering information on borders and available transport and tourism services in Member States.
‘Re-open EU’ will also include practical information provided by Member States on travel restrictions, public health and safety measures such as on physical distancing or wearing of facemasks, as well as other useful information on EU and national tourism offers. This will allow Europeans to take responsible and well-informed decisions on how to manage continuing risks related to Coronavirus while planning their holidays and travels during this summer and beyond, says the Commission..
“With no possibility to travel and with most venues closed these past months, culture and tourism have been hit hard,” said Culture Commissioner Mariya Gabriel,: “The Re-open EU platform provides up to date, essential information so that we can start exploring Europe safely again.”
The EU executive also hopes that small restaurant and hotel owners, badly hit by the coronavirus, as well as towns across Europe, will “draw inspiration from innovative solutions developed by others”.
The initiative is part of plans to rebuild confidence among travellers in the EU and help European tourism resume safely in line with necessary health precautions. The Commission wants the new platform, which comes with a mobile friendly version (a web-based app), to be a key point of reference for anyone travelling in the EU as it centralises up-to-date information from the Commission and the Member States in one place. It allows people to browse country-specific information, updates and advice for each EU Member State through an interactive map. It will be easily accessible via app or website, and be available in the 24 official EU languages.
The platform includes information on patronage voucher schemes that allow consumers to show support for their favourite hotels or restaurants by buying vouchers for a future stay or meal once they reopen, to help the European hospitality industry as restrictions are lifted and borders reopen.
Patronage vouchers help businesses to overcome cash-flow bottlenecks, with services provided later. The amount paid by the customer goes directly to the service provider. By setting up the dedicated page, the Commission intends to help better link participating businesses and interested customers, especially when travelling abroad.
Europe’s digital cultural platform, Europeana, is also launching Discovering Europe, a collection of art works and photographs of some of Europe’s most iconic landmarks. In addition, a dedicated tourism hub will be created on Europeana Pro to help cultural heritage professionals discover initiatives supporting tourism throughout the EU.
