'It's time to book your holiday': Italian PM announces new travel passes for summer

This article has been updated on Wednesday May 5th.

"From the second half of June the European Green Pass will be ready," Draghi announced at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon following a meeting between G20 tourism ministers.

"In the meantime, the Italian government will introduce a national green pass, which will come into force starting in the second half of May".

READ ALSO: How will the EU’s ‘Covid passport’ system work for tourists in Europe?

Photo: Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Itay's tourism minister confirmed on Wednesday that the passes could be used by travellers from outside Europe, includng from the US and UK.

"It is valid for everyone, also and above all for tourists from outside the EU", Massimo Garavaglia told news channel Sky TG24.

"All you need is a simple piece of paper certifying that you respect the rules" and either "you're vaccinated, you're immune because you've had the disease, or you have had a negative test,” he said, without giving further details.

The Italian announcement followed the European Commission’s suggestion last week that countries should open borders to vaccinated non-EU travellers, although the final decision is down to each individual member state.

READ ALSO: When can Americans travel to Italy again?

Tourism from within the EU remains possible under Italy’s international travel restrictions, but is currently discouraged by the Italian Foreign Ministry, which urges people to avoid any overseas trips unless absolutely necessary.

All arrivals from the EU must quarantine for five days on arrival and take two coronavirus tests.

With the introduction of the travel pass, this requirement looks likely to be dropped when it expires on May 15th.

"The world wants to travel to Italy, the pandemic has forced us to close, but Italy is ready to welcome back the world,” Draghi said.

"It's time to book your holiday in Italy, we can't wait to welcome you again,” he urged.

Italy’s tourism industry, worth around 13 percent of GDP before the pandemic hit, is one of the sectors worst-hit by the coronavirus crisis.

The tourism sector, Draghi said, must be made "more sustainable and inclusive, to protect the environment and also ensure the inclusion of local communities.”

"Our mountains, our beaches, our cities are reopening. Some economic sectors are destined to shrink, but others to grow. and I have no doubt that tourism in Italy will return stronger than before.”

While Italian tourism industry bosses expect to see a strong recovery in 2021, the government has so far been hesitant to announce firm dates for relaxing restrictions amid a still-high infection rate in Italy and a relatively slow vaccine rollout.

You can find the current Italian government travel information for your country here.

Find all our latest news updates on travel to, from and within Italy here.