The Latest News for Travel Agents

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has begun the COVID-19 vaccination process for frontline workers in the tourism industry. In just the past week, over 2,000 hospitality professionals across Antigua and Barbuda were vaccinated, officials said. “We are encouraged by the enthusiasm of our tourism stakeholders who made themselves available for the vaccine,” said Colin C. James , CEO of the Tourism Authority. “The continued health and safety of our tourism workers remains a priority for us as we welcome visitors safely...

Guatemala has become the latest country to allow vaccinated tourists to enter without PCR testing or quarantines. The list of nations that have updated entry requirements to recognize vaccinated travelers is still quite small, under 10 countries as of late February 2021, but is slowly starting to grow.

Greece is looking beyond its current COVID-19 lockdowns and ahead to summer, when it plans to welcome fully vaccinated tourists and other foreign visitors with coronavirus antibodies or negative test results. The country hopes to officially roll out its welcome mat on May 14, Reuters reported. That's just a few days before May 17, the earliest date at which the U.K. said it may allow residents to resume international travel.

The Governor of Quintana Roo has announced an easing of restrictions for Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum as the Mexican Caribbean prepares for an influx of travelers for spring break. State governor Carlos Joaquin announced that the state epidemiological light will change from orange to yellow which allows for more occupancy at hotels, restaurants and beaches.

Argentina – one of the most locked down countries on the planet is finally starting to show signs of reopening as it makes October 30 the day it will reopen borders for tourism to five of it South American neighbors. Starting on October 30th, residents of Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Boliva and Uruguay can enter Argentina by air and sea for the purposes of tourism.

Bulgaria has officially reopened its borders in June allowing tourists from select countries to come in for a holiday. On July 16, 2020 Bulgaria made the decision to add more countries to the ‘approved’ list, now allowing more third-party countries to also enter in 2021.

The twin-island federation of St Kitts and Nevis officially reopened its borders for International tourism on Oct. 31, and in the last three months has helped set an example to the rest of the region on how to undertake a safe tourism reopening amid the challenges of the pandemic. To learn more, Caribbean Journal caught up with Lindsey F. P. Grant, St Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports.

India could soon reopen its doors to foreign tourists from countries where the Covid situation is under control, by following all required health protocol. Government officials on Thursday said inter-ministerial talks are on for a “calibrated resumption of tourist visas on a country-specific basis”. Owing to Covid, India had in last March suspended most visas issued to foreigners. Later, it allowed foreigners with certain visa types — except tourist — to travel here.

Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, announced on March 4, 2021 that the island destination will reopen to visitors from all countries except South Africa beginning March 25, 2021. The announcement follows a Tourism Task Force Committee meeting. Visitors will only be required to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure. Vaccination status is not required.

Saint Lucia’s government has revealed a change to one of its core arrival protocols for travelers, Caribbean Journal has learned. The island will soon require all incoming visitors to obtain a negative PCR test five days before arrival in the country. That is a slight tightening of an earlier policy that had required PCR tests within seven days before arrival. The new protocol will take effect on Feb. 10, tourism officials told Caribbean Journal.