In May, Portugal was among the very few countries that U.K. tourists could visit without having to quarantine. But that didn’t last long and cancellations.
Across Southern Europe s tourist hotspots, all they can do is get ready and hope.
Vaccinations for the coronavirus are being rolled out, but it s going to be months before enough shots are delivered that people can start crowding onto planes, taking cruises, or hanging out in packed bars along the beach. That means businesses are largely in the dark about this year s summer season.
The expectation is that it will be better than 2020, but that s a low bar to hit. On the Greek island of Santorini, just three cruise ships arrived last year, compared with close to 600 in 2019.
European Commission figures released last week showed non-resident holiday nights in Italy, Spain and Greece fell at least 70pc, and it warned the industry to brace for another quiet year.
A short, cruel summer for Europe’s battered tourism industry The often controversial rollout of vaccines means resort and hotel owners are left in limbo but permanently at the ready 14 February 2021 - 07:54 Paul Tugwell, Flavia Rotondi and Alberto Brambilla Mykonos, Greece. Picture: 123RF/DIETER HAWLAN
Athens/Rome/Milan Across Southern Europe’s tourist hotspots, all they can do is get ready and hope.
Vaccinations for the coronavirus are being rolled out, but it’s going to be months before enough shots are delivered that people can start crowding onto planes, taking cruises, or hanging out in packed bars along the beach. That means businesses are largely in the dark about this year’s European summer season.
Across Southern Europe’s tourist hotspots, all they can do is get ready and hope.
Vaccinations for the coronavirus are being rolled out, but will be months before enough shots are delivered that people can start crowding onto planes, taking cruises, or hanging out in packed bars along the beach. That means businesses are largely in the dark about this year’s summer season.
The expectation is that it will be better than last year, but that is a low bar to hit. On the Greek island of Santorini, just three cruise ships arrived last year, compared with close to 600 in 2019. European