80% of Belgians are infected in Belgium, not abroad.

The dome of the Professional Union of Francophone Travel Agencies (UPAV) and the Association of Flemish Travel Agencies (VVR) reacted to last week's press conference at the national crisis center.

It is stated that travel is a risk, as 22% of travelers have contracted an infection abroad.
Concretely therefore, this means that 78% of infections, or 4 out of 5, do not occur abroad.
This week, the national crisis center, through virologist Steven Van Gucht, communicated that 22% of contaminations in Belgium could have occurred during the trip.
Concretely, this means that 78% of infections are contracted within Belgium.
Mr. Van Gucht also underlined in a previous communication "that it is much more important to know how people behave than to know where they are".

In addition, it is clear from this same press conference that the main source of infection remains family gatherings in which measures concerning physical distancing, wearing of mouth masks, etc. are not fully respected. The travel sector is therefore asking once again that the figures communicated be clearly explained and put into context.

Belgium now bans France and Spain for Belgians for non-essential travel.
In recent days, the color codes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have again restricted our vacation destinations a little more.
Today, Belgium authorizes travel in 5% (13) of countries around the world.
Several French regions, the number one destination for Belgians, have recently turned red.
Spain, the second most popular destination for our fellow citizens, is also almost entirely red.
Europe insists on free movement of people, goods and services within the EU. The World Tourism Organization announces that 40% of countries around the world are relaunching tourism today.
Europe has also drawn up a list of countries outside the EU where Europeans are allowed to travel.
It is therefore possible to travel outside the EU for our neighbors: the Netherlands, Germany and France.
It is, for example, authorized to travel to Tanzania, Costa Rica, Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia.
This is not possible for Belgians, regardless of their place of residence.
The current situation imposed by the Belgian government creates a situation of unfair competition by imposing restrictions on Belgians which are not imposed on nationals of border countries.
This explains why flights still leave Belgian soil to these destinations which are forbidden to us, open to our neighbors.
This also explains why Belgians can easily book with foreign organizers just across the border, while Belgian companies cannot do so due to current restrictions.

As a result, since the introduction of the strict color codes imposed on the Belgian organized travel sector and on Belgian travelers themselves by the government, reservations with our sector have been completely blocked.
Travelers and the travel industry continue to urge the Belgian government, emphatically:
• that Belgium complies with European decisions;
• greater harmonization of the implementation of these decisions by member countries of Europe and the Shengen area;
• a change of color code respecting at least 72 hours between the announcement and the installation;
• And above all: a clear short and medium term vision on the intention of the competent Belgian authorities regarding the opening of the borders in the coming months.