Athens Hoteliers President Agrees for Covid-19 Vaccination Certificates for Travel

Photo source: EC – Audiovisual Service

Vaccination certificates could positively affect the intention of people to travel and enhance safety procedures, according to the president of the Athens – Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association, Lambrini Karanasiou-Zoulovits.

During an online press event held on Tuesday, Zoulovits estimated that vaccination certificates could replace Covid-19 testing procedures and simplify the ticket booking process for travelers.

“I believe that vaccination certificates should be adopted [as a way to travel]. Vaccination is not obligatory but certificates could really help us overcome certain issues and simplify procedures,” she said.

Greece has clarified that this year will be open to all visitors holding either a negative molecular Covid-19 test or a vaccination certificate when entering the country.

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis, last week reiterated that no hotel in the country will refuse hospitality to a visitor that has not been vaccinated.

In the meantime, all the more tourism organizations and countries around the world are considering vaccination as a harmonized approach to safe travel.

“Vaccines must be part of a wider, coordinated approach that includes certificates and passes for safe cross-border travel,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili during the meeting of the Global Tourism Crisis Committee last month.

The idea is also supported by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has proposed to the European Commission the establishment of an EU-wide vaccination certificate to facilitate travel in Europe.

Furthermore, Greece has discussed the introduction of a vaccination certificate with Israel, Cyprus and Serbia.

Theoharis has also confirmed that Greece’s idea on using Covid-19 vaccination certificates to facilitate travel is part of discussions with the UK.