Brussels – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the world’s largest business travel association and worldwide leader in education, research, networking, and advocacy for the industry – is today writing to EU governments calling for strong political impetus, decisive action, and seamless coordination to safely re-open travel across the EU.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate and the updated Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 of May 20 to ease travel restrictions for vaccinated persons travelling to the EU are exactly what is needed to restore travellers’ confidence and ensure the safety of free movement. Alongside significant improvements in testing capacity and the accelerated vaccine rollout across Europe, these decisions form the foundations for a coordinated reopening of travel to boost European businesses and local economies.

“More than a year after countries across Europe and the world decided to close their borders and restrict travel to contain the spread of COVID-19, improved testing protocols and vaccination programmes are providing hope that safe travel can resume shortly. The resumption of business travel will provide a much-needed economic boost to the travel, hospitality, and events sectors across Europe,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA, adding “Member States should ensure the interoperability and mutual acceptance of third country certificates for the EU to set the global standard for safely restarting international travel, as called for by the G7 leaders and health ministers last week.”

GBTA is calling for EU Member States to lift restrictions on non-essential travel between Member States and select third countries for fully vaccinated and recovered persons in line with the EU Digital COVID Certificate entering into force on 1 July and begin issuing digital certificates without further delay and undue additional restrictions like quarantines.

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global business travel and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy, and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information, visit GBTA.org.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of GBTA, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and a better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information, visit GBTAFoundation.org.