March 2, 2020
Coronavirus pandemic over globe
Europe’s tourism industry has seen a shortfall of some €1bn since the beginning of January due to the COVID-19 outbreak, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Thierry Breton told French channel BFM TV.
Breton said that European tourism has been severely impacted due to the plunge in tourists from China. He added that protective measures are being put in place.
The European Commission announced last week an aid package worth €232m to help EU member states in the face of the outbreak. Part of the funds are to be allocated immediately to different sectors, the commission said, while the rest will be released in the coming months.