(CNN) – During the recent Easter break, social media feeds were filled with photos of happy tourists, many making their first foreign trips since the onset of the epidemic.
Ski holidays in Switzerland. Beach breaks in Thailand. That long-awaited family trip to Disney World.
‘Extremely Unequal Recovery’
And most of them are in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We see early signs of recovery in markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and Cambodia by easing their sanctions and beginning to recover,” said Liz Ortiguera, CEO of Pacific Asia Travel Association. PATA), which is made up of 650 member organizations, including government tourism organizations, travel agencies and airports.
“However, a number of major markets remain in the region which are virtually closed in terms of international capacity. The whole region is experiencing extremely uneven recovery.”
Japan eases entry restrictions – but tourists are still left behind
Tourists eager to visit Tokyo’s fish market will have to wait a little longer to get their sushi fix.
Japan continues to relax its strict entry measures – increasing the number of new arrivals per day from April 10, 2022 to 10,000 persons – but does not include leisure tourists.
For the moment, citizens, residents, researchers, students, family members of residents and business travelers with prior approval can enter. Some face quarantine depending on where they are coming from.
So when will Japan reopen for holidaymakers? The question of time came up during a press conference held by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on April 8; However, no specific plan was announced.
“We must continue to make the right decisions based on the status of the infection in each country and the international movement,” he said. “It has not been decided yet.”
China is fighting for an outbreak
Shanghai, once seen as a haven for foreigners, has seen a sudden exodus. Rigorous coveted restrictions are not only trampling on social freedoms and blocking businesses in the financial hub, but they are also creating access to basic necessities that are almost impossible for some. CNN’s David Culver talks to quarantined people about what they’re experiencing.
Much has been said about how the world tourism economy will not truly improve unless Chinese citizens can travel abroad again.
In 2019, the number of outbound tourists from China reached 155 million, making it the world’s largest market for outbound travel, according to the China Tourism Academy.
For now, Chinese nationals are severely discouraged from traveling abroad and those who face a quarantine of at least two weeks after returning, sometimes more.
But what about foreign tourists willing to take quarantine time in exchange for a holiday?
Those who want to fulfill their lifelong dream of walking along the Great Wall will have to wait for that step to be taken. Foreign nationals are not allowed to enter for leisure tourism at this time.
Macau not willing to bet on reopening, HK eases cracks by opening doors
Macau’s casinos stay out of bounds for most international tourists.
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There is no firm reopening date from Taiwan
Leisure travelers eager to visit Taiwan, the capital of Taiwan, will have to wait a little longer to visit.
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Foreign trade tourists are allowed to visit the island from March 7. From April 12, foreign relatives and residents of Taiwan with a valid Alien Resident Certificate will also be able to apply for a visit.
Other tourists are now welcome, including those with work / study visas, those coming for investment or business purposes, or those entering on a humanitarian basis.
Leisure tourists, however, are still unable to visit.
As more destinations reopen their borders, Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung said in February that the island must consider easing travel restrictions so that it does not lag behind in terms of economic development.
Some Pacific islands are out of bounds
Samoa has not yet announced when it will reopen for international tourists.
Martin Valigursky / Adobe Stock
The island nations, including Vanuatu and Fiji, are the most dependent on tourism in the region, according to a report titled “Asia’s Travel-Ready Index 2022” released last week by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Other Pacific island destinations that have been reopened to tourists include Tahiti, Palau and Cook Islands.
Ortiguera, CEO of PATA, notes that the circumstances are unique and that each destination needs to be judged on the level and timing of its readiness to reconnect with the outside world as they manage the challenging balance of life versus livelihood.
“And to borrow the similarities used during the recent WHO briefings – each nation should navigate their unique route down the mountain from the effects of this epidemic,” she says.
“If I look at Singapore as an example, the nation has aggressively managed the covid transmission and is now looking for a successful exit to reopen the market. I am confident that this measure has laid a solid foundation for continued recovery.”
CNN’s Junko Ogura, Maggie Hyufu Wong and CNN’s Beijing bureau contributed to the report.
