It’s time to pack your bags! These countries are welcoming tourists

Travel has undergone a roller coaster ride this year. With cancelled vacations and countries closing borders, lockdown blues have affected us all. With the race for a vaccine and recovery rates rising, we believe that a silver lining exists at the end of this tunnel. A large part of the tourism fraternity believes that 2023 will be the year of redemption for travel. Everyone across the globe will definitely want to make up for the lost vacation time. In the meantime, here is some good news. A few countries have already started welcoming tourists for leisure and business travel. Let’s take a look!

Maldives

This is one of the most exotic destinations that almost every other person on the planet wants to visit. You will need to produce a copy of a COVID negative test on arrival in the Maldives. Although the pandemic has not broken out uncontrollably in this archipelago, the daily infection rate is steadily rising. Nevertheless, a few of the island resorts are open to tourists with all safety measures in place.

Turkey

Surprised that Turkey is part of this list? Although the country has seen a rising number of cases, it is not been as high as it was in the month of April. No kind of testing or quarantine is required when you arrive in Turkey. But basic tests like temperature checks will be done and those with symptoms will have to take up the test. Otherwise, everything has opened up to tourists in Turkey.

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Kenya

This country located in the African continent has a fairly better COVID-19 situation when compared to many other countries. Kenya has opened up its borders to international flights since the beginning of August and has surprisingly seen a decline in the number of cases. You will have to produce COVID-19 negative test certificate upon arrival and this should have been taken 96 hours prior to arrival.

Also read: A handy pre-departure checklist for travel in the COVID era

French Polynesia

French Polynesia is largely untouched by itself and thankfully has not fallen prey to COVID-19 that much. There has been a spike in the number of cases in the month of August but nothing much to worry about. If you plan on visiting French Polynesia you will need to produce a COVID negative certificate which has been taken 96 hours before arrival. You will not need to observe a quarantine period but will have to take up another test 4 days after arrival.

Also read: Why low season travel might be the next big thing (And why it should be)

United Arab Emirates

This country has been making quite some noise due to the upcoming IPL. Upon arrival, you will have to either produce a COVID negative certificate or take a test. You will have to self-quarantine for up to 24 hours until you get the test results. In some cases, you will not be tested on arrival but all passengers will have to download the COVID-19 app. UAE is one of the few countries in the world to have opened up completely to tourists.

Certain other countries which are allowing tourists include Mexico and a few Balkan regions. Although mandatory checks and precautions will have to be taken, this is surely a welcome change. Slowly but definitely we can see a change in the travel mindset of people across the globe. Let’s hope the same continues wherein safety and travel can go hand in hand. Speaking of safe vacations, check out some great staycation deals offered by Pickyourtrail. A great vacation is just around the corner!