Held in La Palma, the conference ended in a call from public and private actors for international coordination of measures to revive tourism
Blanca López
Senior representatives of tourism from 95 countries and more than 100 tourism companies met on Monday, in person or virtually on the Canary island of La Palma for the conference “Launching the recovery of international tourism”. Organized by Spain, the summit was supported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
The event, which brings together for the first time in history the representatives of world tourism, both public and private sector, has been inaugurated by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and closed in person by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto. Maroto has prioritized reactivating international travel, for which it is required, she added, an efficient coordination of actions and protocols between different countries.
On the other hand, regarding Spain’s requirement of PCR for all international travellers, the CEO of Iberia has defended the validity of antigen tests, to which Maroto has responded that work is being done to recognize other diagnostic tests of active infection and that they are expected to be allowed “in a short time”.
At the same time, they appeal to the sector to adjust its business model to the global situation by offering flexibility for reservations, payment terms or changes due to positive cases of the Covid-19 and launching affordable or higher-value products for greater incentive.
HLCLUB TEAM