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The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has urged governments across Europe to reopen borders and resume travel in a coordinated approach.
The call comes as the EU has launched its digital covid certificate, which is designed to reopen safe travel on the continent.
According to the global body, UK families face a “lost summer” as a result of the traffic light system, quarantine, Covid-19 tests, and “confusing” travel rules and regulations.
Virginia Messina, senior vice president of the WTTC, said: “It’s hard to believe that the UK travel and tourism sector and holidaymakers are facing yet another ‘lost summer’ with no significant travel in sight – despite the hugely successful vaccine rollout.
“The vaccination programme should have unlocked the door to international travel. Instead, we are seeing the second summer with only limited travel in prospect while Europe is reopening, enjoying a summer break and kickstarting their economies.”
She added: “We should take advantage of the opportunity created by the high percentage of the population which has been fully inoculated to allow them to travel safely abroad again, and get back to their lives, colleagues, families, and friends.
“A coordinated response from leaders across Europe is critical if the UK is to have any hope of saving some of the peak summer season for travellers and the struggling travel and tourism sector.”
The call follows a recent announcement from the WTTC that claimed continued international restrictions would cost the UK £639m a day in July.
