Vaccinations will not be a short-term shot in the arm for travel industry recovery, says the World Travel & Tourism Council. In fact, proposed vaccination passport requirements, along with current “unnecessary” quarantines, will do more harm than good, states the organization.
WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara says she “wholeheartedly supports the testing on departure of all travellers to ensure passengers can prove they are COVID-19 free and thus avoid the spread,” but is quick to claim that proof of vaccination is not the answer.
“It will take a significant amount of time to vaccinate the global population, particularly those in less advanced countries, or in different age groups, therefore we should not discriminate against those who wish to travel but have not been vaccinated,” she says.
“Only a tiny percentage of people around the world have so far received the vaccine, whereas there are vast numbers who have not, but who could be tested, show a negative result, and travel safely. The common-sense approach is to allow the free movement of people who can prove a negative test result, rather than reserve travelling or jobs for a small minority who have been vaccinated.”
Guevara also believes that vulnerable groups should be prioritized for vaccinations, meaning that a blanket vaccination requirement for travel would simply discriminate against non-vulnerable groups such as Generation X, Z and Millennials “who should be able to travel with proof of a negative COVID test.”
As for imposing quarantines on top of testing protocols, Guevara says, “To further insist all arriving travellers must isolate [for 14 days in Canada] or undergo a further test… later is an unnecessary precaution. Continuing with these damaging quarantines and added unnecessary restrictions will impact forward bookings, which will be vital to revive international air travel, bring back Travel & Tourism sector jobs and resuscitate the global economy, while also protecting public health.”
But Guevara also recognizes the need for standardization of global testing protocols, stating, “There is still uncertainty around the type of tests which will be accepted upon arrival, and they must be made widely accessible and affordable for all.
“WTTC has long been calling for an internationally recognized rapid and cost-effective testing regime at departure points worldwide. This would avoid exporting the virus and aid the restoration of international travel.”
The WTTC chief’s plea parallels a host of similar sentiment expressed across the travel industry, including by IATA president and CEO Alexandre de Juniac, who has called quarantines “clearly inefficient” and “the source of hardship for millions” based on the economic consequences they cause.
“Vaccines offer the long-term solution, (but) in the meantime, testing is the best way that we see to stop the spread of the virus and start the economic recovery,” he says, adding, “How much more anguish do people need to go through – job losses, mental stress – before governments will understand that?”