GLOBAL TOURISM RELOADING
After months of lockdowns, countries are cautiously starting to ease travel restrictions put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, according to research published by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, stressed “the need for vigilance, responsibility and international cooperation as the world opens up again.”
“The timely and responsible easing of travel restrictions will help ensure the many social and economic benefits that tourism guarantees will return in a sustainable way”, Mr. Pololikashvili said.
A host of popular destinations are beginning to ease their COVID-19 lockdown measures and border restrictions and are moving toward welcoming tourists back. Back in May, the European Union unveiled an action plan to reopen its internal borders in time for summer, while countries such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have formed “travel bubbles,” lifting restrictions for each other’s citizens.
Here is the complete list of countries that are reopening for tourism:
- As of June 1st 2020, Croatia has reopened to tourists, first by allowing in visitors from countries within the European Union
- As of June 1st, Seychelles has reopened to tourists from 19 countries, with another 17 countries being considered
- Starting Wednesday June 3rd, Italy reopened its borders to tourists from 26 countries without any restrictions upon arrival
- Turkey has reopened its borders to international tourism starting on June 10th. Turkey has outlined 40 countries they will be resuming flights with throughout the month of June
- On June 15th, the Netherlands reopened to tourists from countries in the European Union and the Schengen area
As of June 15, the international tourism period began in Greece, with seasonal hotels allowed to open their doors again. Direct international flights to tourist destinations in Greece will gradually resume from July 1.
- The Prime Minister of France announced that the country has officially reopened to tourists starting on June 15th
- Germany has officially reopened to tourists on June 15th, allowing 31 countries to cross its borders for the purposes of tourism
- Switzerland reopened to tourists on June 15th, 2020, starting by allowing visitors from 30 countries. Starting on June 8th, all visitors arriving from other countries will be able to enter the UK but will face new strict quarantine measures before any vacation or traveling can begin
- Austria has officially reopened its borders for tourism on June 16, 2020.The first 31 countries that have authorization to travel to Austria include all of the European Union nations, with the exception of UK, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal
- Spain reopened for tourism starting on June 21, 2020. The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, announced Spain will first reopen it borders to all tourists coming from countries within the European Union on June 21. Then, starting on July 1st, Spain will reopen borders to additional countries, which are soon to be announced
- As of June 2020, Portugal has reopened its doors for tourism from select countries. Unlike some other countries now accepting tourists, mainland Portugal is not requiring a confinement/isolation period for the new arrival
- The United Kingdom reopened to international tourists in June with new COVID-19 prevention measures set by the UK government
- Malta is reopening for tourism on July 1st, allowing visitors from 20+ nations to enter the country without an isolation period
- The Bahamas is officially reopening for tourism on July 1st, 2020. They will be accepting tourists from all countries as long as they follow the pre-entry protocol outlined on this Bahama’s reopening guide
- Dubai, UAE is officially reopening its borders for international tourism on July 7, 2020 – allowing travellers from all normally permitted countries to visit
- The Maldives is aiming to reopen to tourists starting this July as the tourism minister Ali Wahed pleads “We cannot keep our borders closed for long” in a recent statement
- Currently there are a few countries that can travel into the USA. They include countries that do not have a ban proclamation and countries that normally have visa-free access
Global guidelines
The report follows the latest release of UNWTO’s Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism, aiming to help the sector emerge more sustainably from COVID-19. Produced in cooperation with the Global Tourism Crisis Committee, the guidance highlights the need to act decisively, to restore confidence and to embrace innovation.
“These guidelines provide both Governments and businesses with a comprehensive set of measures designed to help them open tourism up again in a safe, seamless and responsible manner,” Mr. Pololikashvili said.