Rome
After anxious months confined at home, eager Europeans are digging out their suitcases, sunscreen and flipflops, and daring to plan a post-coronavirus summer holiday.
With restrictions being lifted and the tourism industry up against the wall, the European Union has set out plans to reopen its internal borders on Monday. But even if travel within much of the EU is permitted, many Europeans are expected to stay put and take holidays in their own countries this year.
From Spain and Italy, to France, Greece and Britain, the picture of what holidaymakers in search of sun, sea or culture can expect, remains very mixed. In France, the world’s number one tourist destination, the government is banking on the French staying in the country for their holidays, to help kickstart the key tourism sector. To hammer home the message and remind the French what’s on offer at home, it is about to launch a #CetetejevisitelaFrance campaign, meaning This summer I’m visiting France.
Many seem to have already heeded the call. According to the head of France’s Entreprises du Voyage association, which represents sectors of the travel industry, just 20 percent of summer bookings in travel agencies so far are for trips abroad, compared to 66 percent normally. With just over 90 million visitors from abroad last year, France has backed the resumption of quarantine-free travel within the EU from Monday.
But says it will apply reciprocal measures if other countries impose quarantine requirements for French citizens.
Paris, Europe’s most visited city, has gradually begun coming back to life, with cafe terraces open again.
The Eiffel Tower reopens on June 25, albeit with limits on the numbers of visitors, who will only at first be able to go up the monument by the stairs, among other restrictions.
The enigmatic Mona Lisa and other artworks will again be on view at the Louvre from July 6.—APP
