Easing travel restrictions is a positive step forward, but more needs to be done in order to build greater confidence in air travel.
With the reopening of the Philippines to foreign travelers from 10 February 2022, Philip Goh, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific, gave the following comment:
“IATA welcomes the border opening by the Philippines to fully vaccinated travellers. It is good for the aviation community, and will facilitate the recovery the aviation industry and the tourism sector. We urge other Asia Pacific governments to look at similarly easing their travel restrictions and join this growing momentum we are seeing in the region during the past several weeks.
Easing travel restrictions is a positive step forward, but more needs to be done in order to build greater confidence in air travel. We urge the Philippines government to take the following additional action:
- Make permanent the standardization of measures and exemption of quarantine, improving from the current temporary suspension;
- Accept antigen tests for pre-departure testing
- Recognize digital vaccination certificates and testing certificates that are presented in digital platforms, such as the IATA Travel Pass.
It is through greater liberalization from air travel restrictions that aviation and travel businesses, and indeed economies, can advance to full recovery from two years of extreme hardship.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
