Today, the European Commission is launching a website (Re-open EU) to support the safe resumption of travel and tourism across Europe. This web platform will contain information on the borders and available transport options and tourist services in the Member States. Re-open EU will also contain practical information provided by Member States on travel restrictions, applicable public health and safety measures such as distance and wearing masks, and other useful information on EU tourism offer and on national level. For example, when planning their holidays and journeys this summer and beyond, Europeans will be able to make responsible and well-informed decisions on how to deal with the ongoing risks associated with the corona virus.
The new Reopen EU platform is part of the Commission's package of tourism and transport of 13 May 2020, launched to restore travelers' confidence in the EU and help resume European tourism safely, while taking the necessary precautions for the health. The new platform, which is also available as a (web-based) mobile phone app, centralizes all current information from the Commission and the Member States in one place, making it the reference point for anyone traveling in the EU. Users can access country-specific information, updates and advice on each of the EU Member States via an interactive map. The information will be easily accessible in the 24 official EU languages, via the app or website.
Furthermore, the platform provides information on support voucher (voucher) schemes: consumers can support their favorite hotels or restaurants by purchasing vouchers for a stay or meal as soon as they reopen, thus supporting the European hospitality industry as restrictions are lifted and borders re-established open up.
Aid coupons help companies bridge their liquidity problems by already paying them for services they provide later. The amount paid by the customer goes directly to the service provider. The Commission has set up that special page to better connect participating companies and interested customers, especially when traveling abroad.
Finally, through Europea, Europe's digital cultural platform, Discovering Europe is launched, a collection of artworks and photographs of some of Europe's most iconic sights. In addition, a dedicated tourism hub is being set up at Europeana Pro to help people with a cultural heritage background to discover tourism support initiatives across the EU.
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