Travel to Europe could get a lot easier very soon. The European Council has recommended that EU members ease travel restrictions on passengers arriving from “third” countries, such as Canada and the U.S., starting March 1. Business Travel News Europe said the council recommends that member states allow non-essential travel for people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or who have recovered from the virus. To qualify as vaccinated, travellers must have had their last dose of their primary vaccination “at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before arrival or they have received a booster dose,” Read more
European Union
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging governments to accelerate relaxation of travel restrictions as COVID-19 continues to evolve from the pandemic to endemic stage. IATA this week called for removing all travel barriers (including quarantine and testing) for those fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine, enabling quarantine-free travel for non-vaccinated travelers with a negative pre-departure antigen test result, removing travel bans, and accelerating the easing of travel restrictions in recognition that travelers pose no greater risk for COVID-19 spread than already exists in the general population. “With the experience of the Omicron variant, there is mounting scientific evidence Read more
In yet another blow for Canadians wishing to travel, and for the Canadian travel industry, Canada has been removed from the European Union’s Safe Travel list. The EU regularly updates its list of countries that are safe for travel into Europe. Their latest update, which took place on Monday, Feb. 17, removed Canada from that list, as well as Argentina and Australia. “Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial authorities for which Read more
A return to fuller airplanes. Toronto hotel openings. And a potential return to Europe for Canadians. Here’s my Future of Travel blog for today. Middle Seat Occupation Returning on Some Airlines I hope nobody who’s been flying lately was getting used to the space around them. Because you can kiss it goodbye. For the past few months, many airlines have been blocking off middle seats to enforce social distancing. But with COVID-19 somewhat under control in some places, that is coming to an end. In Canada, both Air Canada and WestJet say they will no longer block off seats. Ditto Read more
Europe appears to be slamming the door on Americans who’d like to visit this summer. But what about Canadians? I take a look at that issue, as well as a predicted slow rebound for California tourism and a further suspension of cruises by Royal Caribbean. Also, a nod to Quebec and Francophone Canadians on Saint-Jean-Baptiste/Fete nationale du Quebec Day. European Travel This Summer: Can Canadians Go? TravelPulse Canada, where I work as senior editorial director, has a story out today about how European Union countries appear to be banning U.S. residents from visiting any time soon. I wrote in this Read more
