La Jornada – Mexico remains on the UK travel red list

From October 4, the UK will adjust its international mobility system, which has included changes to the so-called red list. However, Mexico remained on the list of countries with a travel ban, a measure that would cause the country not to receive about an additional $60 million, said the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC, for its English acronym).

In a remote press conference, Virginia Messina, vice president of the sector’s largest private sector body, commented that the British government has simplified the traffic light it uses to let in tourists and take its citizens to other latitudes after the Covid-19 pandemic.

He commented that part of the changes was the removal of several countries to which travel restrictions had been applied from the red list, which ranged from passing quarantines to bans on transportation.

He emphasized that although Mexico was expected to stop participating in that relationship, it was not, and therefore the economic damage would be $60 million by staying with the restrictions for another 30 days.

He noted that so far it is estimated that damages from the measures announced on August 8 have caused Mexico not to receive $80 million, and therefore damages will amount to at least $140 million.

After placing Mexico on the red list in early August, British Airways announced the suspension of flights to Mexican territory.

Messina noted that it is estimated, on average, that for every passing day the state stops receiving about two million dollars.

He considered that the changes made by the UK government were positive for the travel sector in general, but it was bad news for Mexico.

He commented that it would be necessary to wait at least another three weeks to see if the British authorities removed the country from the red list, because the reality is worrying, as other countries may apply restrictions on Mexican travelers or those who wish to visit the nation.

“There is an economic impact, but also at the level of reputation and perception. Mexico has for many years been a tourist powerhouse, and this does not help and unfortunately speaks of the management of the epidemic in our country.”

For this reason, he called on the Mexican government to give priority to vaccination, especially for workers in tourist centers.

He pointed out that the procedure applied by the British authorities is not done easily, but with the data they have on the development of cases of the disease in the country and its biological application.

Messina noted that this measure reduces the confidence of British travelers seeking to visit the country in the winter, and therefore the effect could extend for a longer period.