152 destinations eased restrictions on international tourism , 59 closed to tourists
Travel Biz News —
A total of 70 per cent of all global destinations have eased restrictions on travel introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the eighth edition of the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report.
The number of destinations closed to international tourism has continued to fall.
In comparison, just one in four destinations continue to keep their borders completely closed to international tourists.
The UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report keeps track of measures being taken in 217 destinations worldwide, helping to support the mitigation and recovery efforts of the tourism sector.
The Report shows that, as of 1 November, a total of 152 destinations have eased restrictions on international tourism, up from the 115 recorded on 1 September. However, 59 destinations have kept their borders closed to tourists, a decrease of 34 over the same two-month period.
The study found that destinations with higher scores in health and hygiene indicators as well as on the environmental performance index are among those which have eased restrictions faster.
In comparison, destinations choosing to keep their borders closed tend to be within emerging economies with relatively low scores in health and hygiene indicators and environmental performance index.
The majority of these destinations are in Asia and the Pacific, with many belonging to the SIDS (Small Island Developing States), LDCs (Least Developed Countries) or LLDCs (Landlocked Developing Countries).
Europe continues to lead the way in lifting or easing travel restrictions followed by the Americas, Africa and then the Middle East.
Asia and the Pacific continues to be the region with the fewest travel restrictions eased and more complete border closures in place for international tourism.
2 Dec. 2020
Image credit : UNWTO
