Currently, one out of every three travel destinations around the globe is completely shut off from international tourism. According to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the emergence of new COVID-19 variants has led many governments to roll back their plans to ease travel restrictions. These total closures are most common in Asia, the Pacific, and Europe.
The UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report gives us a detailed look at the travel rules in place across 217 destinations worldwide. While earlier reports suggested a trend towards relaxing or lifting restrictions, the newest report indicates that the ongoing severity of the pandemic has made governments more cautious.
As of early February, 32% of all destinations worldwide (which totals 69) are completely closed to international tourists. Out of these, over half (38 destinations) have been closed for at least 40 weeks. Additionally, 34% of global destinations are now partially closed to international visitors.
The ninth edition of the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report highlights the regional differences in travel restrictions. Of the 69 destinations that are completely closed, 30 are in Asia and the Pacific, 15 are in Europe, 11 are in Africa, 10 are in the Americas, and three are in the Middle East.
The UNWTO’s research also shows a shift towards a more nuanced and evidence-based approach to travel restrictions. Increasingly, destinations are requiring international visitors to show a negative PCR or antigen test upon arrival and provide contact details for tracing. About 32% of all destinations worldwide now use these tests as a primary requirement for entry, often coupled with quarantine measures, while the same percentage uses tests as a secondary or tertiary measure.
Top tourism markets remain cautious. As the UNWTO leads the effort to restart tourism, the Travel Restrictions Report also observes how various governments are advising their citizens. Analysis of the top ten tourism source markets, which currently advise against non-essential travel abroad, reveals they accounted for 44% of all international arrivals in 2018. The guidance issued by these governments will be critical for the recovery and reopening of the tourism sector in the coming weeks and months.
Currently, there are a few destinations worldwide with no COVID-19 travel restrictions. These include Albania, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, North Macedonia, and Tanzania.