States with travel restrictions
One in every five destinations’ borders remain completely closed as new Covid-19 outbreaks wreak havoc on the resumption of international tourism.
According to the most recent research, 98% of all destinations still have some kind of travel restriction in place.
According to the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report, 46 destinations (21 percent of all destinations worldwide) have completely closed their borders to tourists.
26 of these have had their borders completely closed since at least the end of April last year.
A further 55 (25 percent of all global destinations) have partially closed their borders to international tourism, and 112 (52 percent of all destinations) require international tourists to present a PCR or antigen test upon arrival.
The study also shows how destinations are easing restrictions for fully vaccinated international tourists: 85 destinations have eased restrictions for fully vaccinated international tourists, while 20 have made a full Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for entering a destination for tourism purposes.
States without travel restrictions
However, only four destinations have completely lifted all Covid-19-related restrictions so far (Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Mexico).
“The safe easing or lifting of restrictions on travel are essential for the restart of tourism and the return of the social and economic benefits the sector offers. The trend towards destinations taking evidence-based approaches to restrictions reflects the evolving nature of the pandemic will also help restore confidence in travel while helping keep both tourists and tourism workers safe.”
UNWTO secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili
This latest report, like previous editions of the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report research, shows that regional differences in travel restrictions persist.
Asia and the Pacific continue to have the most restrictions, with 66% of all destinations completely closed.
In comparison, Europe is the most open global region to international tourists (only 7% of borders are completely closed), followed by Africa (9%), the Americas ( 10%), and the Middle East (15 per cent).