Portugal launches insurance product for foreign tourists

Portugal’s national tourism body Turismo de Portugal has launched a new travel insurance product for foreign tourists travelling to the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The insurance product has been introduced with the aim of showcasing that the country is safe for travellers and covers a range of different expenses including medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and hospital charges associated with coronavirus.

It also covers additional expenses that may occur from cancellation, interruption, or the extension of trips. According to reports, the insurance is valid for mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions of Madeira and Azores.

It is also designed to work hand-in-hand with the Portugal Health Passport, which has made COVID-19 testing available to everyone visiting the country. Turismo de Portugal said in a latest press statement that the objective of the insurance is to guarantee that everyone who visits Portugal that they can travel around the country safely and with confidence.

At a time when the Portuguese government is planning to ease the mandatory requirement of 14 days self-isolation for British citizens returning from vacationing in Portugal and considering the opening of the long-awaited airbridge with the UK, the travel insurance may prove to be beneficial in boosting traveller confidence. It may also successfully revive consumer confidence in Portugal’s tourism brand that has been harshly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and necessary lockdown.

Rita Marques, Secretary of State for Tourism, Portugal said in a press statement that authorities have been in contact with the UK, providing all of the information requested by the British government but are uncertain about when the decision will be revised. She informed that Portuguese authorities do not think that quarantine is the real solution and looks forward to more testing options.

She further added that the country believes that August and September will be strong months for tourism, adding that the situation is under control at present.