Tourist Hotspots That Are Planning To Reopen To International Visitors
The whole world has been on lockdown for a few months now, and many of us are itching to travel again. Certain destinations across the globe have announced plans to reopen their borders to international travelers, and some are even offering incentives to draw tourists.
These are some of the most popular destinations planning to allow international tourists soon.
Egypt
Egypt plans to start reopening to tourists starting with its seaside resorts on July 1. While domestic travel has been allowed to hotels at limited capacity, resorts are reopening in southern Sinai, the Red Sea province, and Marsa Matrouh.
The Bahamas
July 1 is also the date set for the Bahamas reopening. Tourists must present a "travel health certificate," an online form with questions regarding their health, and provide a negative COVID test result taken within the 10 days prior to arriving there.
Malta
Located in the Mediterranean, Malta plans to reopen its borders to select countries within Europe. However, they hope to lift restrictions to all other countries on July 15. While health testing isn't yet mandatory, wearing a mask and social distancing protocols are still in place.
Vietnam
Vietnam plans to begin issuing e-visas to international travelers from 80 different countries starting July 1. These e-visas will be valid for entry at eight international airports, 16 border gates, and 13 seaports, so visitors can arrive by air, sea, or land.
Cancun, Mexico
In order to ramp up business for the Mexican tourism industry, destinations along the Caribbean Sea have been promoting perks for tourists such as two free nights for every two nights paid for by guests, two free days of car rentals for every two days paid for, free stays for up to two children when two adults book, and more.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has been implementing a four-step reopening plan that concludes with restarting their tourism industry on July 15. However, international travelers may be asked to quarantine for 14 days following arrival regardless of test results.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is expected to open to visitors on July 7. Travelers must provide proof of health insurance, a negative COVID test taken within 96 hours before departure, and they must fill out a health declaration form. Visitors must also download and register their details on an app that tracks people's movements within the city.
The Maldives
Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives published a 27-page document outlining health and safety guidelines for all tourism-related establishments in preparation to reopen the country to international tourism on July 15.
Iceland
Iceland opened its borders to international travelers on June 15, and they offer travelers a free coronavirus test upon arrival at the airport. Those who test negative are allowed to travel the country freely, while those with positive results will need to isolate for 14 days.
Bermuda
Bermuda plans to allow visitors starting July 1 so long as travelers can provide proof of health insurance, present a negative COVID test taken no more than 72 hours before arriving, and wear masks and distance themselves while in public spaces.
Greece
In order to entice travelers to visit the country, Greece has reduced all of its taxes on transportation, including international flights to the country. International flights to Greece resumed on June 25.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia, which features popular tourist destinations like Bora Bora and Tahiti, will open borders to international travelers on July 15.
Travelers need travel insurance that could cover potential COVID-19 expenses and proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
Sicily, Italy
While Italy still has yet to reopen its borders, Sicily has announced that it will offer to pay for half of travelers' flight costs and a third of hotel expenses for travelers who will visit later in the year.
Georgia
Georgia is one of the safest places to travel at the moment, with the country facing minimal cases and spread of the virus. While it has been open to domestic travel since June 15, the country plans to open to international visitors on July 1.
Turks And Caicos
The British overseas territory in the Caribbean will start welcoming visitors on July 22. While the country has announced that they will be implementing a variety of health and safety measures in the tourism industry, they have not specified details.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic plans to invite tourists back on July 1, but very few details about health and safety measures in hotels, resorts, and airports have been released apart from visitors facing temperature checks and other health tests upon arrival.
Maidera, Portugal
The Portuguese islands of Madeira, which are located off the coast of Morocco, are offering free testing for all arriving visitors once they open their borders to international travel on July 1.
St. Vincent And The Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will open to international travelers on July 1, with visitors filling out a health questionnaire, taking a mandatory COVID test, and undergoing 24 hours of quarantine after arriving until they receive the test results.
Cyprus
Located off the coast of Turkey, Cyprus has already opened its borders to Germany, Greece, and other countries, and it plans to expand the list of locations it will allow travel from. Cyprus has promised to cover the costs of tourists who contract coronavirus while visiting.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan launched a "Safe Travel Guarantee" campaign to amp up tourism by promising to pay any visitor who contracts the virus $3,000. So far, Uzbekistan is open to a limited number of countries across Asia and Europe, with European travelers being required to isolate for 14 days upon their arrival.
