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Australia’s buoyant economic setting and ramped up global vaccination rollouts have gotten the stars aligning for the travel sector. As per the Australian Bureau of Statistics, overseas trips in March 2021 rose by 27.4% compared to the previous months.

Domestic travel is indeed having a good time in the current scenario amidst the increase in tourism activity in the Land Down Under. Significantly, Australia is among few other nations that have the COVID-19 situation under control, enabling non-interrupted lifestyles, which opens the door for travel return.

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 However, the situation is not so grand for international travel.

The global tourism system, overwhelmed by the crisis and its repercussions, is rummaging through alternatives that can prove a quick fix. The travel-related bodies have circled the wagon to devise solutions such as Travel Passports’ which could provide a fillip to sales.

While many countries are ready to experiment with the ‘selectively permeable approach to allow entry of vaccinated travellers, others like Australia are reluctant to take the risky step in one go that could compromise their health safety. Furthermore, an intermediary approach of ‘Travel Bubble’ seems to be capturing the headlines as two or more nations form an exclusive partnership to kickstart travel.

Australia and New Zealand recently established corona corridors while many global travel arrangements are in progress.

Let us look at a few of them. 

The U.K. To Unveil Its Travel Light List

The U.K. government is set to lift its travel restrictions from 17 May onwards, which means that holidaymakers can undertake non-essential summer trips freely in the countries categorized in its green list. The Government would be releasing the list on 7 May, and the countries would be grouped into either green, amber, and red category depending upon the health data of the respective nations.

The arrivals are not expected to quarantine, but a COVID-19 test would be needed for entering the country. However, other countries may impose restrictions on the travellers arriving from the U.K.

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Many Countries Give Nod To The Entry Of Vaccinated Travellers

The global COVID-19 vaccine rollout has proven to be an elixir for the travel sector. Many countries are already making headway towards approving the entry of travellers who are fully vaccinated. European Union plans to ease travel restriction on international tourists who have been full vaccinated, and hail from counties with have low infection risk.

The proposal includes ‘Digital Green Certificate’ or vaccination proof that allows travel even for non-EU nations. However, the holiday makers must have received the complete vaccination shots at least 14 days before their arrival with a vaccine included in the proposal’s approved list.

Israel is also planning phased reopening and would begin the entry of inoculated travellers, starting 23 May. According to its Ministry of Tourism, the country would initially be open for vaccinated group arrivals, while the vaccinated individual tourists would be allowed from July.

Travel Bubble On The Charts

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared a quarantine-free travel bubble with the Cook Islands to kickstart from 17 May 2021. The bubble would allow NZ vacationers to enjoy their winter holidays while bolstering the commercial potential for the Cook Islands. However, if there is an outbreak, then the flights are expected to be cancelled.

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Singapore, on the other hand, is monitoring the COVID-19 infection situation after it registered new cases. At the same time, it mulls over opening the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble from 26 May, as initially planned.

The varying travel arrangements are expected to give free rein to soaring demand from travel enthusiasts and corporate travellers, thereby improving the commercial state of the sector after over a year of the pandemic. 

SOURCE: KALKINE MEDIA

Mr. Kunal Sawhney

CEO, Kalkine