Some destinations are taking the decision to restrict entry to unvaccinated travelers. This could be seen as a global “nudge” for those unwilling to get vaccinated. For them, the travel options might start to go down as some nations prioritize safety over an open-door policy that could restart tourism.
When the Caribbean island of Anguilla reopened last November with the requirement of a negative PCR test, a spike in new cases was nonetheless seen in April, and the country had to close its borders again to tourists for a month.
According to CNBC, visitors arriving to the island from July 1st onward must be vaccinated at least three weeks before arriving. The Anguilla Tourist Board’s website states that the rule applies to all visitors who are eligible to be vaccinated. Vaccinated travelers will no longer need to quarantine, take a Covid test upon arrival or pay entrance fees. In the past, vaccinated travelers were charged $300 to enter; unvaccinated visitors were charged $600.
Some European countries, in light of the drop in the number of cases, have relaxed their entry measures. France, for instance, allows unvaccinated travelers from “green” countries to enter via a negative Covid test. According to the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visitors coming from “orange” countries must be vaccinated to enter or show “pressing grounds” for travel,
In the case of French Polynesia (which includes the islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora), vaccinated tourists can enter if they arrive from any of France’s “green zone” countries. The “Green zone” list includes most of Europe, plus Canada, the US and Australia. According to French Polynesia’s destination marketing organization, all other individuals, including unvaccinated travelers, must demonstrate a “compelling reason” related to health, family or work to travel to French Polynesia.
Tourism is not a compelling reason for travel
Tahiti’s tourism
In the case of Spain, the country has opened its doors to travelers from Europe and to those from a list of 10 countries with low Covid rates. All other tourists must show vaccination certificates to enter.
Asia is still largely closed to leisure visitors, CNBC reports. In Thailand, the “Phuket Sandbox” model waives quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers from low-to-medium-risk countries. Phuket is scheduled to reopen on July 1, before the rest of Thailand.
In other parts of the world, the “always open” model has been, for economic reasons, the norm. Mexico never closed its border to American tourists throughout the entire pandemic. Mexico is one example where a more open policy made sense given its proximity to the US. The cross-border shipping and commerce conducted daily is worth billions of dollars. And tourism is no exception.
