[COVID-19 and Travel]② When Will Overseas Travel Be Possible... Tourist Destinations Gradually Lifting Restrictions

UN World Tourism Organization "53% of Tourist Areas Ease Restrictions"
Maldives Allows Foreign Tourists Entry, Requires PCR Test Results Submission

The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has caused the global tourism industry to face its greatest challenges. Although social distancing and lockdown measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted, travel remains difficult without vaccines, and demand for travel has yet to recover. Governments and companies are devising survival strategies, while some tourist destinations have begun reopening, and unique businesses are emerging.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, some tourist destinations have started to reopen their previously closed doors. However, it is expected to take some time before full reopening to tourists amid ongoing COVID-19 spread. Even when foreign tourism is permitted, restrictions may be reimposed due to resurgence of COVID-19.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as of the 1st of last month, out of 217 tourist regions worldwide, 115 (53%) have eased COVID-19 related travel restrictions. There are still 93 regions (43%) with fully closed borders where travel remains difficult. Overall, the number of regions with travel bans due to border closures is decreasing. This proportion, which was 72% at the end of April, rose to 75% in mid-May but has gradually declined to 65% in June, 53% in July, and 43% in September. This is because some borders have reopened and partial travel restrictions have been lifted.

By continent, Europe led with 44 regions easing travel restrictions, followed by the Americas with 27, and Africa with 26. The Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions had fewer, with 13 and 5 regions respectively. Notably, 61% (28 regions) of the Asia-Pacific region still maintain full border closures. Many European countries lifted border closures en masse starting in June ahead of the summer holiday season. In contrast, Asian countries, including those with relatively low COVID-19 cases such as China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, continue to block most tourist inflows.

UNWTO analyzed that regions easing travel restrictions generally had well-equipped healthcare facilities or low COVID-19 infection rates. Among developed countries, 79% eased travel restrictions, whereas only 47% of emerging countries did so.

Regions that have resumed foreign tourism are gradually emerging. However, due to COVID-19 resurgence, some places have postponed reopening schedules or imposed requirements such as submitting proof of a negative PCR test, leading to renewed restrictions.

The Maldives, which allowed foreign tourists to enter on July 15, is a representative example. At the beginning of this month, the Maldives required all arrivals to submit PCR test results. Initially, no test results were required upon entry, but after several foreign visitors and local staff tested positive and were quarantined, this measure was implemented. The number of foreign tourists visiting the Maldives after reopening was only 5,200 over one month, far below the pre-COVID-19 monthly average of 141,000.

Thailand’s famous tourist destination Phuket also began accepting foreign tourists from this day. A special tourist visa (STV) for long-term tourists has been created, and about 300 foreigners entering under this visa are expected to be permitted entry. According to the Bangkok Post, these visitors will undergo 14 days of self-quarantine, and if they test negative by the 21st of this month, the Thai Ministry of Tourism plans to increase the number of tourists starting in November. They are also considering reducing the quarantine period for tourists to one week.

Additionally, U.S. territory Hawaii and the Philippines’ Boracay are expected to soon allow domestic tourists to enter and reopen. This is aimed at revitalizing the tourism industry by focusing on domestic tourists before foreign visitors.