Travel companies have been at a standstill for more than a year, travel entrepreneurs are in danger of going under and many of the 20.000 ANVR travel professionals have already lost or lost their jobs, which if the Dutch government remains reluctant when it comes to a vaccination passport in combination with (rapid) testing .
Frank Oostdam, chairman of the travel industry organization ANVR, is sounding the alarm for the travel sector. “Figures from Statistics Netherlands last week show once again that we, more than all other sectors, are the sector most affected with a drop in turnover of more than 76%. And in our ANVR-organized sector that even rises to almost 90%; no sector can sustain that. And that while a solution is obvious. ”
Last week's EU summit and recent consultations with EU tourism ministers in Brussels seem to offer hope for the travel industry, as EU member states are optimistic about the introduction of a digital vaccination passport. But unfortunately, Prime Minister Mark Rutte is still reticent. Oostdam does not understand this reluctance at all. “In addition to an EU-initiated vaccination passport, testing and rapid testing can help allay the government's fear of discrimination. This offers travel entrepreneurs perspective and at the same time gives people more freedom. Many travelers are already familiar with the 'yellow booklet' which states exactly which health measures have been taken, and this booklet could also serve as a medical document, whether it concerns vaccination or (rapid) testing. The travel industry sees (rapid) testing in combination with vaccination the solution to offer its affiliated travel companies perspective, according to the ANVR on their website.
The travel sector therefore foresees major problems if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advises against Dutch travel this summer. “It is better as a government, together with the travel industry, to work quickly now on how holiday and business travel can be organized again in the future, than to let it take its course and to let the Dutchman, who now yearn for a holiday, travel uncontrolled”, according to Oostdam.
Also read: Urgent ANVR appeal: 'Use your vouchers as soon as possible'
