Sean Moriarty, CEO of the Quinta do Lago resort in the Algarve, has expressed disappointment at the omission of Portugal from the UKs list of air bridge agreements.
"Over the past four months, Portugal has been recognised for managing the virus exceptionally well, we locked down early and really led the way in reducing the spread of infection. It, therefore, came as a real shock to be excluded from a partnership with the UK - especially when our rate of infection does not justify this decision," Mr Moriarty said. "Particularly here, in the Algarve, numbers of cases have always remained extremely low and our resort has been open for over a month now without numbers increasing. In the UK, 4.2 people out of 1,000 currently have the virus, when compared with the Algarve's much smaller 1.4 people, the British government's decision seems illogical.
"In normal times, the Algarve is the third most popular European destination for British travellers and there are currently no quarantine regulations upon arriving in Faro Airport, but we really need the UK government to lift its restrictions to allow us a chance at a real summer season. Although some of our regular guests who visit the resort each summer are still booking, in the knowledge that they will quarantine when returning home, we are really hoping that a travel corridor is forged in the very near future in order to boost British numbers. We have the weather, the safety measures and the lifestyle - now we just need the guests," he added.
The latest UK government decision follows on from the news last month that Portugal was the first country to receive the WTTC Safe Travels Protocols seal, which aims to restore traveller confidence in destinations. Portugal has also introduced the Portugal Health Passport initiative, which all international visitors can download before travelling. The document entitles holders to special offers from private healthcare providers if they need medical care while on holiday in Portugal.
Image Credit: Pedro Ferraz/Flickr
