Our friends at the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office in Spain have just sent us a note confirming Phuket as the first destination in the country to reopen to international tourism.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to confirm that Phuket will be the first destination in Thailand to reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine requirements from 1 July 2021.
Source: India, the Namaste greeting means «Reverence to you»
Sociedad Geográfica de las Indias, an agency specialising in tailor-made travel to the Indian subcontinent, have submitted to Madrid City Council and tried to promote on Change.org, a campaign to make Namaste the recommended greeting back to school
Concern as the school year begins: more than 8 million young students return to classes this September
We have modified our trips and itineraries to meet the strictest safety measures, adapting transport, accommodation and excursion arrangements to the new social distancing requirements.
We wanted to hear what you thought of the result.
Before 2000 it was unthinkable; today we take it for granted
Do you remember airport security checks before 11/sep/2000? Having to take off our shoes to pass through security was almost unimaginable.
Years later, we take it for granted that we have to remove our belts or pass through modern scanners that can see right down to our skeletons. What was unimaginable in 2000, Today is just one more formality.
Similarly, more and more countries are requiring a PCR test as a condition of entry
As international tourist travel begins to return to normal, we will undoubtedly hear the words privacy and distancing frequently.
With the new social distancing rules imposed by the different countries and the the eagerness we all feel to travel, new ways of travelling are emerging, and those offering greater privacy are enjoying renewed interest.
Embracing opportunities and challenges is central to the work of Viajes Tuareg.
The pandemic is making things very difficult for all of us. Constant changes to border policies force us to keep up to date, especially now, with the possibility of further outbreaks.
The epidemiological situation in each country is changing, and measures may be introduced overnight to implement the trip that we had planned or that we would be asked to carry out the PCR test in an attempt to enter the country.
On 16 July, the European Council issued a circular updating the list of countries without restrictions on non-essential travel. The note contains a ‘lrevised whitelist of countries to which travel is possible leisure and tourism. If compared to the list adopted on 30 June, two countries have been removed from the list (Montenegro and Serbia) and no new countries have been added.
Greece has been one of the EU countries least affected by the pandemic, largely thanks to measures imposed by local authorities that effectively contained the spread of the disease. Current measures comply with European Union standards, and Greece is on the “white list” of countries open to travel.
The blog DiarideBarcelona.cat interviewed our manager Jordi Vendrell. The Covid-19 crisis has had a special impact on tourism and travel agencies are one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic and the resulting crisis.
The coronavirus has affected us greatly. We work internationally, so border closures and lockdown have completely disrupted our plans. Since March 11, we have had two jobs: first, repatriating everyone we had travelling around the world; second, managing refunds for people who had booked trips that could no longer go ahead.
Vietnam began issuing electronic visas to international visitors on 1 July 2020 after suspending the digital visa system because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The electronic visa or E-visa for travel to Vietnam can be obtained online by completing an application form. It allows the holder to enter the country for tourism, business and other purposes.
Vietnam is ready to welcome international visitors again now that the coronavirus situation appears to be under control.
Sri Lanka prepares to receive visitors this summer 2020 with these new rules
The Sri Lankan government announced that it is preparing to reopen its borders and welcome travellers with appropriate safety measures and precautions.
Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RMA) and Mattala Rajapaksa Hambantota Airport (MRIA) will be operational from 1 August.
Sri Lanka is ready to reopen its borders on 1 August, welcoming all nationalities and all types of travellers, subject to some conditions.
We will try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible so that it can serve as a guide to countries to which it is possible to travel.
“I think we will return to a fully functioning Schengen area and freedom of movement for citizens by the end of June, if the health situation permits,” said Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson after Friday’s videoconference with the Member States (05/06).
After virtually closing for three months because of the coronavirus pandemic, most EU countries have committed to opening their borders and easing related travel restrictions in mid-June. Spain, however, announced that its borders would only open from July.
Although it is not yet possible to set exact dates to start the travel abroad; we are keeping track of developments around the world
There are reasons to be optimistic. Canada may begin reopening its borders to tourist travel on 1 July
Asked whether Canada will lift its COVID-19 travel restrictions on 1 July 2020, the answer for now is “no one knows”. However, given the federal government’s recent actions and the apparent decline in Canada’s pandemic curve, an opening may be possible on 1 July. The Canadian government will lift restrictions when it believes it is safe to do so.
Albania is moving towards full reopening as of next Monday, 1 June. The new rules that will enter into force will allow tourists to visit as the 14-day quarantine requirement is removed.
Albania opens borders as the country moves towards full reopening.
Albania will reopen day-care centres and kindergartens and will start its tourist season on June 1, said Tuesday (26/05) the minister of health. The local press in Albania issued new rules to be adopted this week.
Slovakia is another European Union country that has suffered relatively little from coronavirus. The authorities' swift action as the pandemic spread in other European countries effectively contained its spread. With hygiene and social distancing measures similar to any European Union country, Slovakia has moved forward and is already preparing to welcome travellers.
The proximity of the countries of South-East Asia to the first epicentre of the pandemic in China led to the early adoption of measures and the closure of borders of all neighbouring countries. For Cambodia confirmed cases of coronavirus are rare, and daily life in the country is currently completely normal.
The Cambodian authorities maintain some health measures and recommendations, which do not affect the smooth running of our trips in the country.
On 25 May, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dusko Markovic, stated that there had been no new coronavirus cases in the country for 20 days. To underline the point, he removed his protective mask before the press conference.
Montenegro opens its borders to tourists from countries with low levels of coronavirus infection.
The Prime Minister of Montenegro said on Monday (25/05) that the borders open from 1 June for citizens of countries that meet the entry criteria of the Montenegrin health authorities: have at present up to 25 patients with covid-19 per 100,000 people.
The pandemic situation in Slovenia is under control and we are following it closely. We can change the itinerary at the last minute if necessary.
On 14 May, just over two months after recording its first case Covid-19, Slovenia declared that the pandemic was under control within its territory. According to the government, this means that the borders will be reopened, non-essential services will be resumed and citizens will be able to leave social isolation.
Slovenia currently has the best clinical situation in Europe, allowing us to bring the pandemic to an end,” said Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
With the desire to travel in summer, Slovenia is the perfect country for a holiday without crowds and in nature. In addition, the epidemic has long been under control, with no new cases of Covid-19 for weeks, so Slovenia is Europe’s first ‘Coronafree’ country. As a result, everyday life, shops, hotels and restaurants have already returned to normal, while complying with hygiene regulations.
An active cultural journey through the three Baltic countries, discovering their cultural heritage and capitals and exploring their main national parks. Travelling from south to north, we will discover ruined medieval fortresses hidden in dense forests, walk through the dunes of the Curonian Spit and visit a former secret Soviet military base. We will explore national parks and their ecosystems on trails equipped with wooden boardwalks and observation towers.
While the debate on tourist travel across Europe continues, the local press reports that Estonia will open its borders to Finns and citizens of other Schengen countries from Next Monday, June 1st.
‘From Monday (02/06), Finns may enter Estonia without restriction. They are allowed to travel to Estonia for any reason and will not be quarantined," Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said, adding that citizens of countries that still have a high level of infections will be required to go into quarantine for the time being before entering Estonia.
The pressure to allow tourists to return to Estonia has gradually increased in recent weeks as local media have published a series of reports on the devastating impact that the lack of tourists is having on the hotel industry.
The pandemic situation is under control and we are following it closely. We can change the itinerary at the last minute if necessary, and the health situation demands it.
Croatia has begun easing the social distancing measures introduced to limit the spread of COVID-19. The cautious reopening of borders is aimed at facilitating economic activity, investment and reviving the tourism industry which is an important source of income for the country.