EU Tips for Travelers and Tourism Providers

EU Tips for Travelers and Tourism Providers: The European Commission has shared some practical guidance for travelers and travel providers as part of its wider strategy towards travel and tourism recovery. As European domestic restrictions begin to lift, national authorities need to progressively lift restrictions at their borders. The EU recommends the following as best practice for restarting travel in member states.

At the booking stage, travelers are advised to make purchases online, with transport companies being asked to provide information on how to avoid peak hours and best plan journeys via their websites and apps.

Beginning journeys

Travelers

• Check-in electronically and in advance
• Arrive early as advised by their carrier and respect social distancing (1.5 – 2 m) as required
• Face masks should always be worn at the airport (or station/port)
• Attention should be paid to floor markers

Airports and other entry points

• Ensure regular cleaning and disinfection is done
• Make hand-sanitizer available
• Remove seating to avoid crowding
• Ensure safe distances at luggage drop-offs, at security and border control points, and during boarding/embarking

During the journey

Travelers

• May be required to wear a face mask
• May be separated from other passengers, especially if traveling alone
• May be asked to board through a rear door, to protect both the traveler and the driver
• May may not be able to buy goods, including food and beverages, onboard to avoid contact as much as possible
• When you leave the aircraft and pick up your luggage, distancing should be ensured

Transport providers

• May be required to allow fewer passengers on board
• May need to install protective barriers between employees and customers
• Should ensure appropriate ventilation
• Have a strategy in place in case passengers fall ill or being to show symptoms during the journey
• Should clean and disinfect aircraft and vehicles regularly
• Should make sanitizing/disinfecting gel available onboard

Arriving at hotels

Guests

• Read the information provided carefully
• Respect physical distancing and keep a distance of 1.5 to 2 meters in communal areas
• Practice respiratory etiquette, i.e. coughing or sneezing into a paper tissue or the elbow bend
• Practice good hand hygiene: wash your hands with soap, single-use paper towels or automatic dryers, and alcohol-based sanitizing solutions
• Use face masks

Hospitality providers

• Ventilation: increasing the number of air exchanges per hour and supplying as much outdoor air as possible is recommended
• Cleaning of frequently touched surfaces as often as possible. Examples: doorknobs and door handles, chairs and armrests, table-tops, light switches, etc.
• Staff should be given instructions on procedures for post-check-out cleaning, the treatment of cleaning equipment, waste management, laundry and personal hygiene following cleaning

Cancellations

Travelers

• You are entitled to reimbursement of your ticket or to a rerouting
• You may accept vouchers offered by the transport operator

Transport providers

Companies should ensure vouchers protect against the insolvency of the transport company. They are advised to make vouchers as attractive as possible by:

• Making them redeemable at the latest 12 months after they have been issued
• Ensuring they can be used for travel on the same route and under the same conditions
• Ensuring they can be used for new bookings and make them transferable to another person without any additional cost

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has welcomed the guidelines. Read full details of the EU strategy here.

For support with your flight operations to Europe, contact UAS