The tourism sector worldwide has been turned upside down by the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. But, as the pandemic takes a downward trend, countries across the world are finally attempting to repair their tourism-dependent economies.
Many of them are taking concrete steps to boost tourism; some are offering travel subsidies to woo tourists while others are forming alliances to reduce the risk of the virus. International flights carrying leisure travelers are slowly making an entry and while countries are still keeping international tourism on hold, and only focusing on domestic tourism, here’s a list of countries that are cautiously opening for tourism.
Places That Are Opening Up For Tourism Again
We know that going on vacation seems like a distant dream now, but you can always plan ahead! Here are some of the countries that are reopening their borders for tourism in the weeks and months ahead.
Italy
One of the most affected countries in the world due to the coronavirus, Italy is currently lifting its lockdown in stages. While shops are scheduled to reopen on May 18, cafes, restaurants, and bars are expected to reopen on June 1.
The country, however, is already planning ways in which it can reboot its tourism sector. It is planning to reopen all its museums, including Rome’s Vatican Museums, throughout the month of May, but with strict social-distancing rules. And as part of its efforts to woo tourists, the Italian island of Sicily is offering subsidized holidays for tourists coming to the island. The island has agreed to pay half of the flight tariff as well as sponsor one a night’s hotel stay for tourists agreeing to visit the island.
Starting on June 3, citizens of EU countries will be allowed to travel to Italy. Curbs on inter-regional travel within Italy will also be lifted in early June.
Greece
Greece plans to open its borders to European tourists by June 15. Having successfully slowed down the spread of the novel coronavirus, the country has now decided to allow tourists to visit the nation.
However, tourism in Greece won’t be the same this year. Visitors won’t be able to enjoy Greece’s nightlife as bars, night clubs, and pubs will be closed. The country, however, is hoping to attract wealthy tourists, who would stay in boutique hotels and engage in activities like agrotourism or yachting, which are usually socially distant activities.
Also Read: 5 Reasons You Must Visit Mykonos In Greece
Spain
With a staggering four-phase exit strategy across the country, Spain has reopened its borders but imposed a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine regulation. However, even this will be lifted from July.
But for its domestic tourists, Spain is thinking up smart ways for its citizens to enjoy its beaches once again. Canet d’en Berenguer, a Mediterranean town in Spain, is planning to allow only 5,000 daily sunbathers on its local beach when it reopens, while the Sanxenxo in Galicia will allocate entry to its beaches on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis only. All so that tourists can enjoy its gorgeous beaches while being socially distant.
Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya tweeted, “The worst is behind us. In July we will gradually open Spain to international tourists, lift the quarantine, ensure the highest standards of health safety. We look forward 2 welcoming you!”
Iceland
With an economy that is highly reliant on tourism, Iceland is planning to open its borders to international tourists from June 15th onwards, earlier than most other countries.
According to Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, all tourists entering the country post June 15 will be given the choice of a coronavirus test or a two-week quarantine, clearing which they will be able to explore the island nation.
She also announced that from May 15th, citizens of the Faroe Islands and Greenland will be able to visit the country without going into quarantine, which is pretty cool!
8 Other European States Also Open Borders
The other European states planning to reopen tourism are Germany, Austria, France, Portugal, Norway, Poland, Croatia and Slovenia. Of these countries, Germany, Austria, France, Croatia and Portugal will allow entry to all EU countries from June 15th, 2020. Norway opened its borders to select countries on May 12th. Poland will open its borders on June 12th. Slovenia opened its borders on May 15th despite a few infections still being detected in the country.
However, each of these countries come with their own unique set of restrictions. While some are following the route of a compulsory quarantine, others are allowing restricted travel.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia is taking gradual steps to resume a normal life. The country has announced a three-step plan for reopening, in which the third step includes the creation of a ‘trans-Tasman bubble’, which will allow travel between Australia and New Zealand.
This ‘travel bubble’ is nothing but a travel corridor between the two, by which it will allow people from both the countries to travel through each other’s borders, thereby reviving tourism. As both countries contribute to each other’s tourism significantly, the tourism sector is expected to get a big boost.
As per Australian Prime Minister Morrison’s recent remarks, Australia will hopefully reach its third phase in July, which may include the trans-Tasman travel. So we will just have to wait and watch.
China
As China seems to have curbed the coronavirus pandemic to a large extent, it has opened up some of its tourist sites for its domestic tourists. Major tourist sites like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Summer Palace have been opened to local tourists. Even the Shanghai Disneyland opened up on May 11 to huge crowds.
Authorities, however, are keeping a check on the number of tourists in a particular area. About a 30 percent cap has been put to tourists entering a tourist site, tickets for which have to be pre-booked online.
Also Read: Reports Suggest That Wuhan In China Is Now Finally Coronavirus Free
Vietnam
Vietnam has emerged as the first Southeast Asian country to get its act together and restart its tourism sector. According to CN Traveler, domestic tourism has resumed in the country, with airlines increasing domestic flight schedules, with limited passenger capacity.
The country has also opened up a few key tourist destinations for its locals. These include Halong Bay, Caves of Phong Nha, Ke Bang National Park, and the hiking trails of Sapa. However, only groups of 10 are allowed at these sites.
3 Baltic States To Reopen Soon
Three Baltic countries – Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia – have decided to open their borders to each other, thereby creating European Union’s first official ‘green corridor’ or ‘travel bubble’.
Dubai
Dubai has already begun lifting its lockdown restrictions. Cafes and restaurants are reopening in the emirates with 30% capacity, while shopping centers are beginning to open partially.
Turkey: According to Turkey’s tourism minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the country plans to open its borders to tourists soon, mostly starting June.
Turkey is working on an internationally recognized certification system, by which it plans to classify tourist destinations, tourist areas, and businesses, as ‘coronavirus-free zones’. Tourists entering the country will also be expected to provide ‘health documents’ declaring themselves to be coronavirus free.
If all goes to plan, Turkey could be a mid-to-late summer holiday destination for tourists.
Well, these are the countries that are opening up for tourism again. And we hope that all goes to plan and we can continue to travel as things gradually get better!
4 Caribbean Countries To Reopen In June
Antigua and Barbuda will open its borders to certain tourists and will allow flights from Miami as early as June 4 and those from New York later in the summer. Aruba is also planning to open for inbound travel between June 15 and July 1. St Lucia will also be opening up its borders to travellers from the United Sates from June 4. This will be done in phases.
Ukraine
Ukraine reopened 66 border checkpoints with European Union countries and Moldova for the first time on May 22nd.