Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Representing 10% of GDP and the same percentage of the total workforce of the EU, the health of the tourism industry has major repercussions for the whole economy. As Europe slowly emerges from lockdown, nations are gradually opening their borders, their restaurants and their beaches, fully aware that without tourists, a wider economic recovery is in jeopardy.
Tourism
Holidays in the coronavirus-era
Jobless and desperate: the post-lockdown reality for many
Many workers' lives have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic, as job losses in tourism, air travel, food and drink or other industries hit those both on fixed contracts and in the informal sector
Motorhomes come of age as Europe relaxes lockdowns
With social distancing the new norm across Europe there has been a shift in thinking about holidays, with one survey showing 83% of Spaniards planned to use their own car over public transport
Coronavirus praise as Greek PM completes first year in office
Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been praised for his government's response to COVID-19 but tackling the economic impact of the lockdown will be the true test of his leadership, analysts say
Bathing water quality in Europe
This graphic shows the quality of Europe’s coastal and inland waters.
Slow takeoff for aviation in Europe
After coronavirus lockdowns that brought civil aviation to near halt, air traffic is slowly resuming in Europe as borders reopen but tens of thousands of jobs are still hanging in the balance
EU to open borders to ‘safe’ countries as pandemic accelerates
The European Union has agreed to reopen its borders to 15 countries excluding the virus-stricken US, as the pandemic accelerated globally with more than 505,000 deaths worldwide