The Covid pandemic turned the world inside out in an unprecedented way and the travel & tourism sector has been one of the worst hit.
However the last few weeks have seen parts of the world cautiously taking steps to opening up again in an endeavour to start building their travel & tourism industry. This gives us hope.
Governments and tourism bodies the world over understand the immense importance of the tourism sector and look to supporting it and doing what they can to woo tourists back , rebuild the industry , all the while taking the necessary safety precautions. There seems to an initial focus on domestic tourism, and they will slowly ease into opening up to the international market.
Holidays, vacations, backpacking, road tripping .. all will begin again but with stark conditions as we see the world opening up and that gives us the momentum to dream and plan for these holidays. Travel is a passion that we can put on hold temporarily. Not something that we can relegate to a past life!
Travel as we once knew it, will never be the same till we find an antidote to the virus and remove fear from the minds of people. There will be several changes in logistics, entry rules etc. These are slowly being rolled out across the world with each day bringing a new update, a new change.
Follow us as we observe and put together in our blog – all these great steps being taken globally to reopen the world to travel !
(Do note these are extraordinary circumstances. With the way things are in the world, there are constant changes and updates by governments but we will try to keep this updated as much as possible.)
COUNTRY UPDATES:
- Croatia has unofficially opened its borders from 15.05.2020. to tourists from EU countries who can enter Croatia if they have a reservation from a hotel or apartment. Third-country citizens will only be able to cross the border after June 15. The 14-day self-isolation obligation is cancelled.
https://www.traveldailymedia.com/croatia-welcomes-tourists-back/
- Slovenia declares itself Covid-19 free: Slovenia’s government has declared an end to the COVID-19 epidemic in the country and reopened its borders for EU travellers on May 15. EU residents crossing into Slovenia from Hungary, Italy and Austria were also exempted from a mandatory seven-day quarantine. Most non-EU residents will still have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. However anyone found to be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be turned away at the border under the new regulations. Restrictions on the countries tourism branch also started to roll back this month, although initially only for small hotels and other smaller businesses.
- Greece : to restart tourism June 15, international flights July 1: Greece will restart its tourism season on June 15 in a key boost to the economy after the virus lockdown, and international flights would resume on July 1. Incoming travellers will not be required to undergo virus testing or quarantine, but sample tests will be carried out in tourist areas. Every international traveller to Greece will have to enter through Athens and submit to a health screening, which includes a rapid covid-19 test. To encourage tourism, Greece is also making travel cheaper by temporarily reducing value added tax (VAT) on all transport – flights, bus journeys and rail travel – to 13% from 24%.
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/0P6gCj8c/greece-reopening-hotels-planning-international-flights
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/greece-to-reopen-borders-for-eu-travellers-from-july-1/
- Tanzania : has opened its borders and are happy to welcome clients already. Tanzania is a great destination to travel, easy to maintain social distancing and offers visa on arrival.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202005190521.html
https://allafrica.com/stories/202005240057.html
- Italy : plans to open its borders to international visitors from June 15th without the mandatory 14 days quarantine.
https://www.afar.com/magazine/is-italy-reopening-and-when-will-i-be-able-to-visit
- Iceland : now plans to reopen to international travellers by June 15. When it reopens to tourists in June, Iceland will require all visitors to either take a covid-19 test, agree to a two-week quarantine or present official documentation of a recent negative test. Regardless of which option they choose, tourists will have to download a contact-tracing app. Iceland has tested more than 13 percent of its population, higher than any other country in the world.
- Belgium : Belgium is aiming to reopen to international tourists by 15 June, and is likely to make an announcement by the end of May. Currently, all arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days. Proof of residence and onward travel required for transit.
- Poland : Borders are likely to be open to international tourists from 13 June. Restrictions have been lifting gradually since 4 May, and travel to cities, national parks and beaches is now permitted. International flights are due to begin operating again on 23 May. Currently, all arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days. Hotels were permitted to open from 4 May (without catering). Museums, art galleries and remaining shops due to open 18 May. City bike schemes and some public transport will start operating. Face masks mandatory in public.
- Spain : Spain will welcome foreign tourists back to the country from July 1, ending its two-week quarantine policy. Under current restrictions, visitors from abroad must isolate themselves for two weeks on arrival, making leisure trips virtually impossible. Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya had previously said the policy would be relaxed in July, without specifying the date.
https://www.dw.com/en/spain-to-reopen-to-foreign-tourists-from-july/a-53557976
- Norway : The government has closed the borders to foreign nationals who lack a residence or work permit in Norway and as a general rule, this will apply until 20 August but the government will consider whether exceptions will be made. Before 15 June, the Norwegian government will decide whether or not to open up the borders for travellers from the Nordic countries. Before 20 July, the government will decide if travellers from other nearby countries can visit Norway this summer.
https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/coronavirus-and-travelling-to-norway/
- Caribbean Destinations : Aruba, Saint Lucia, and The Bahamas plan to open for Tourism by Mid June : Caribbean destinations are preparing to welcome back visitors after being closed to travel for nearly two months in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Government of Aruba announced a tentative reopening of the borders for inbound travel scheduled between June 15 and July 1, 2020. A formal announcement will be made in the coming weeks with the official reopen date. The Bahamas is targeting July 1st and St Lucia by June 4th.
- Hawaii Hopeful to re-open by July: With most of Hawaii’s 242,000 unemployed workers tied to the tourism industry, the push is on to reopen the state to visitors sooner than later.
https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/hawaii-hopeful-to-reopen-by-july
- Israel will try to re-open by July for nearby low infected countries: Plan is for flights to Greece and Cyprus initially, before expanding to other European countries that have managed to beat back virus.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-aiming-to-resume-travel-with-low-infection-bloc-in-july/
- Georgia plans to open to International tourists by July 1st : Georgia opens up for domestic tourism from June 15th and the country will be ready to receive international tourists from July 1st.
https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/georgia-opens-up-for-domestic-tourism-from-june-15th
- Japan readies for tourism as state of emergency is lifted: Immediate: Japan lifted the state of emergency for Tokyo and four neighboring prefectures recently, thus bringing the nationwide “soft lockdown” to an end. This will ensure resumption of economic activity and travel restrictions are also expected to be relaxed.
https://www.ttgasia.com/2020/05/26/japan-readies-for-tourism-as-state-of-emergency-is-lifted/
- Germany moves to ease travel restrictions on 31 European Countries : Germany aims to lift travel warnings for 26 EU countries plus Britain, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein from June 15. Social distancing rules could also be eased from June 29.
https://skift.com/2020/05/26/germany-moves-to-ease-travel-restrictions-on-31-european-countries/
- Dubai to reopen its borders for tourist arrivals in July : In all likelihood, Dubai will start welcoming tourists once again in the beginning of July 2020 after putting a stop on tourist arrivals due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Their airports transit services will start in June.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/dubai-to-reopen-its-borders-for-tourist-arrivals-in-july/as75429457.cms
- Cyprus to reopen to tourism in June : With less than 1000 total cases and 17 deaths due to COVID19, the Mediterranean island of Cyprus has fared considerably better than many other countries when it comes to containing the spread of the novel coronavirus. As countries around the world begin reopening, According to Reuters, the country is gearing up to reopen airports to international visitors on 9 June as restrictions are gradually lifted.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/cyprus-reopening-plan
HOTEL UPDATES:
- After the most difficult months of the crisis, Accor Hotels are moving steadily into recovery. Over the past weeks, they have re-opened more than 250 hotels. A total of 42 per cent of the Accor network is now operating.
- Marriott sees occupancy in China, Korea and Australia go up
- InterContinental reopens nearly all hotels in China : InterContinental Hotel Group, the owner of the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands, has reopened almost all of its hotels in China.The UK-based company on Monday said 97 per cent of its 470 hotels in China had reopened since the country had begun to ease coronavirus lockdowns and bookings were continuing to “steadily improve”. In the US, where hotels have not been forced to close, 90 per cent of IHG’s hotels remain open.
https://www.ft.com/content/9bbff38c-a81c-4e3b-a2f0-9db6dbb20a7d
- Hilton reopens hotels in China: Hilton has reopened hotels in mainland China after closing them due to the coronavirus crisis. Hilton is among a number of hotel companies that have ramped up cleaning efforts to instill confidence in travellers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The hotel company previously announced the launch of its new Hilton CleanStay program, in collaboration with RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol, and Mayo Clinic. Hilton said this new cleanliness program is expected to launch in June 2020 and will create a focus on cleanliness that “will be visible to guests throughout their stay, providing them with assurance and peace of mind” when they stay at any of Hilton’s brands.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/05/18/hilton-reopens-hotels-in-china/
- Kempinski Hotels : Following early signs of recovery and eased lockdowns after the coronavirus spread in China, Kempinski Hotels has reopened all its hotels in the country. New strict safety and hygiene procedures have been put in place to comply with local government authorities and WHO guidelines to guarantee guests’ and employees’ safety and well being.
- 580 Relais & Châteaux reopening worldwide : The group is ready to welcome a different and far more demanding clientele. Measures will depend on respective country’s health and safety requirements.
https://app.getpocket.com/read/2997330448
- Steigenberger Hotel Treudelberg-Hamburg, Germany : reopens to welcome guests from May 25th .In the north of Hamburg, amidst the idyllic Alstertal nature reserve, emerges Steigenberger Hotel Treudelberg. Freshly renovated, the Landhaus of the Steigenberger Hotel Treudelberg Hamburg presents itself to its guests in a new look.
https://www.steigenberger.com/en/hotels/all-hotels/germany/hamburg/steigenberger-hotel-treudelberg
- TUI hotels in Germany Reopen: After the restrictions to contain the coronavirus have been lifted, hotels in the Federal Republic are allowed to reopen.
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/0P5ADssh/first-tui-hotels-in-germany-reopen
AIRLINE UPDATES:
- Domestic flights in India : to open up in stages from 25 May in a calibrated manner. The detailed guidelines for passengers involving sanitation, social distancing, using the Aarogya Setu App, Digital payments and Baggage limitations amongst other procedures to be followed are mentioned by the government. For more in depth information and help please write to us at askus@thewanderers.co.in
- Lufthansa : to resume flights to 20 destinations from mid-June :Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), which is in talks with the German government over a 9 billion euro ($9.8 billion) bailout, will resume flights to 20 destinations from mid-June, including some holiday hot-spots. The destinations include Mallorca, Crete, Rhodes, Faro, Venice, Ibiza and Malaga, the spokeswoman said, adding flights would depart from the airline’s main hub in Frankfurt.
- Korean Air : to restart some international flights in June. Korean Air is reopening flights to international destinations in North America, Europe and Asia in June, as it prepares for Covid-19-related travel restrictions to ease. South Korea’s biggest airline said on May 7 that it will operate 32 of its 110 international routes in June, equivalent to 146 flights per week or 20% of its usual international capacity. The new destinations being added include Washington DC, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hanoi, Beijing, Shanghai Pudong, Taipei and Ulaanbaatar.
- Air Canada: flies International from June 2020 Air Canada will officially resume more international flights this summer, adding routes to the U.S., Caribbean, South America, Europe and Pacific. The airline says that it will be offering 97 domestic and international destinations, which still offers “wide opportunities for travel and connectivity.”
https://www.freshdaily.ca/news/2020/05/air-canada-international-flights-resume/
- Brussels :Airlines flying International from June 15 The airlines has announced their summer network, with 59 destinations in Europe, Africa and the US gradually opening between 15 June and 31 August.
- Emirates : resumes passenger flights to 9 destinations, including connections between UK and Australia. Current destinations for return flights from 21st May till 30th June include Chicago, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Madrid, Melbourne, Milan, Paris, Sydney and Toronto. Stringent entry restrictions remain in place upon arrival in Dubai which includes: a mandatory DHA test on arrival; a mandatory 14 day quarantine and a follow up test before release.
- Qatar Airways: The airline is looking to resume flights to India by June, subject to approval. At present, the airline continues to operate flights to more than 30 destinations around the world.
CRUISE UPDATES:
- Genting Dream is tentatively scheduled to commence her deployment in Singapore from 1 July 2020 onwards, subject to further confirmation from the local authorities
- Royal Caribbean : to resume sailings from China in July
https://www.traveldailymedia.com/royal-caribbean-to-resume-sailings-from-china-in-july/
For any further information do get in touch with us at askus@thewanderers.co.in
Team Wanderers