Europe woos tourists with cash, cafes and COVID-free islands

Europe woos tourists with cash, cafes and COVID-free islands

From France to Greece, Europe's top tourist destinations are gearing up to welcome visitors back this summer after the coronavirus pandemic wrecked last year's season. The European Commission is working on a "Digital Green Pass" that would provide proof of vaccination and COVID-19 test results, with the aim of making travel easier for people in the European Union and abroad. The pass may be available from June, but countries are already getting ready for tourists. Here is a look at the latest situation: France France was the world's top tourist destination before the pandemic in 2019 with 90 million visitors. The government launched a multi-million-euro campaign on Tuesday to woo tourists. Restrictions are gradually being lifted, with France's famous cafe terraces set to reopen on May 19 along with shops, museums and theatres. Indoor spaces in restaurants and cafes will be allowed to reopen on June 9 with a near total return to normal by the end of the month. But new restrictions could be imposed if cases exceed 400 infections per 100,000 inhabitants. Greece Athens last month lifted a seven-day quarantine period for travellers from the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Serbia, the United Arab