Covid - 19 Related Travel Restrictions A Global Review For Tourism

COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM3.Rationale and focus ofthe analysis4.Methodological NoteAll reports in this series are based on deskresearch carried out since the end of January2020.3 They contain the results of monitoringtravel restrictions that have been implementedduring this period by destinations worldwide.4In line with the evolution of the COVID-19pandemic,destinationshavestartedpreparing for the opening of internationalborders. Some destinations have eased travelrestrictions for international tourism, yet manycontinue to have their borders completelyclosed.For the first two reports in this series, theInternational Air Transport Association(IATA) Travel Centre5 was the main sourceof information. In addition, websites suchas International SOS6 and the World HealthOrganization (WHO) Extranet were consultedfor destinations that were not featured onIATA website.This sixth report focuses on further enhancingthe understanding of the context of travelrestrictions, their easing and lifting. It includesanalysis of travel restrictions in selectedeconomic and political blocs, in particularemerging and advanced economies, SmallIsland Developing States (SIDS) and theSchengen area. Travel restrictions arealso analysed in relation to the economicimportance of tourism in destinationsand the level of diversification of sourcemarkets. Furthermore, for this edition, travelrestrictions are analysed in connection withthe mode of transport of international touriststo a destination.For the third report, in order to gain a betterunderstanding of the different categories oftravel restrictions, and further insights on thedistinction between complete and partialclosure of borders, the information fromIATA and International SOS were analysed,compared and validated for all destinations.The fourth, fifth and sixth reports build ondata received from the UN World FoodProgramme (WFP)7. The information wasfurther analysed and validated by UNWTOusing additional online sources that allowedfine-tuning the understanding. In addition,the website “Reopen Europe”8 was usedfor validating information for travel withinMember States of the European Union (EU).This report presents travel restrictions inplace for international tourism in destinationsworldwide as of 19 July 2020.345678Disclaimer about Information Accuracy: Although every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information, UNWTO cannotmake warranties as to the accuracy of content. If inaccuracies are observed, please revert to sdt@unwto.org. As changes in travel restrictions areoccurring very fast, changes after the time of this publication may also impact on the accuracy of the information.For more information on the previous five editions of the Report COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions – A Global Review for Tourism, ctions.IATA Travel Centre, available online at: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/.International SOS is a medical and travel security services company, for more info on Travel restrictions, flight operations and screening creening.World Travel Restrictions - UN World Food Programme, available online at: dex.html#/db5b5df309ac4f10bfd36145a6f8880e.For more information visit the official website of the European Union: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/.COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM5

COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM5.Overview on COVID-19 relatedTravel Restrictions as of 19 July 20205.1Volume and severity of travelrestrictions on international tourismThe analysis of travel restrictions for 217destinations worldwide shows that a totalof 87 destinations (40% of all destinationsworldwide) are facilitating the restart ofinternational tourism, in particular intraregional international tourism, by easingtravel restrictions. This is an increase of 39destinations compared to 15 June 2020,and of 80 destinations compared to 18 May2020, when the first easings of measures wereobserved (Figure 2).Six months have passed since, on 31 January2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 aPublic Health Emergency of InternationalConcern (PHEIC) which has resulted in anunprecedented global lockdown includingthe standstill of international tourism.9As of 19 July 2020, a growing number ofdestinations have started to ease travelrestrictions for international tourism, includingthe lifting of complete closure of borders.At the same time, 115 destinations (53% of alldestinations worldwide) continue to have theirborders completely closed. This represents adecrease of 12% compared to 15 June 2020(when 65% had borders completely closed)and a decrease of 22% compared to 18 May2020 when the peak of COVID-19 travelrestrictions was registered (at that time 75%of all destinations worldwide had completelyHowever, destinations worldwide continue tohave in place other types of COVID-19 relatedtravel restrictions which undergo constantadjustments in line with the evolution of thepandemic (Figure 1).Figure 1 - Destinations with travel restrictions to international tourism as of 19 July 2020Source: Data compiled by UNWTO as of 19 July 20209UNWTO Barometer May 2020 available at: 1817COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM6

COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISMFigure 2 - Category of travel restrictions by destinations that have eased COVID-19 relatedtravel restrictionsSource: Data compiled by UNWTO as of 19 July 2020.closed their borders for international tourism).Out of the 115 destinations which have theirborders completely closed, 88 destinations(41% destinations worldwide) have had thismeasure in place for more than 12 weeks.(38% of all destinations worldwide) keephaving restrictive measures in place.10 Suchmeasures include the partial closure ofborders (60 destinations); destinationspecific5%travel restrictions allowing only passengers16% source markets tooriginating from certain5%enter (5 destinations); the request of medicalcertificates (13 destinations);quarantine upon1%arrival (4 destinations); and visa83measures6%(1 destination) (Figure 3). DestinationsOut of the 87 destinations which haveeased travel restrictions, 4 have lifted all16%COVID-19 related travel restrictions (2% of alldestinations worldwide) and 83 destinations1%836% of travel restrictions by destinationsFigure 3 - CategoryDestinationsthat have eased COVID-19related travel restrictions5%72%72%16%1%6%Partial opening of bordersVisa measureQuarantineDestination-specific travel restrictionMedical certificate83Partial opening of bordersDestinationsVisa measureQuarantineDestination-specific traveMedical certificate72%Source: Data compiled by UNWTO as of 19 July 2020.10Partial opening of bordersDestination-specific travel restrictionFor the purpose of the analysis, the report distinguishes destinations that have eased travel re-strictions (i.e. destinations that have eased entrymeasureprocedures related toVisaCOVID-19but still apply some restrictive measures), from destinations that have lifted travel restrictions (i.e. destinationsthat have removed completely travel restrictions related to COVID-19 for international tourism pur-poses). See Annex 4 for a complete list ofdestinations that have eased and lifted travel restrictions.COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM7

ng of bordersCOVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM5.2It is observed that an increasing number ofdestinations that have eased travel restrictionsare requesting travellers to provide a health andtravel history record. Such requests have theaim to facilitate the identification of potentiallyaffected travellers and their subsequent tracing.They include the registration of internationaltourists through “locator passenger forms”11and health declarations. In some cases, theseforms are paper based, which is considereda temporary measure, while more moderntechnology based solutions are developedand deployed.Characteristics of destinationswhich have their borderscompletely closedBuilding on available datasets, it is possible togain further insights on the characteristics ofthose destinations which keep their borderscompletely closed. In particular the sample ofdestinations which have their borders closed isanalysed in connection with the tourism grossdomestic product (T-GDP) clusters, whichrelate to the importance of tourism in theeconomy of a destination (high, considerable,moderate and low). Furthermore, these resultsare analysed taking into account COVID-19new cases (data from WHO Situations Report176)12; and according to the classification ofemerging and advanced economies by theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF).Continuous discussions on further openingsof borders for international tourism amonggovernments are taking place, includingdiscussions on various approaches, such asbilateral agreements with neighbouring countriesand the creation of so called “bubbles”, “tourismcorridors” or “green lanes”. According to theevolution of the pandemic and/or readinessof the destinations to apply relevant healthprotocols and procedures, it is observed that insome cases scheduled openings of borders arebeing revised and postponed.As of 19 July 2020, research points out thatfor those destinations which have at leastpartially opened their borders (83 destinationsworldwide), tourism tends to have a highereconomic importance than in those destinationswhich remain having their borders completelyclosed (115 destinations worldwide). Thistrend applies to all T-GDP clusters except forthe cluster of countries where tourism has a“considerable” importance (Figure 4).As health concerns and uncertainties prevail,the re-introduction of restrictions remains verypossible. In fact, over the past few weeks, 3destinations, which had previously eased21%24%restrictionsopted to reintroducerestrictionsfor passengers coming from specific countries.9%Analysing46%the 115 destinations whichhavetheir borders closed from a transportationPartial opening of borders21%24%46%Figure 4 - Destinationswith closed vspartially reopened borders,by T-GDP cluster13 9%Partial openingof bordersPartial opening of bordersorder closure12%Complete borderComplete border closureclosureHigh:T-GDP 20%Complete border 2%42%Considerable:Moderate:12%T-GDP 10% and 20% 28%T-GDP 5% and 10%Low:42% 5%T-GDP9%9%18%18%18%Source: Data compiled by18%UNWTO as of 19July 2020High:Considerable:Moderate:Low:T-GDP 20%T-GDP 10% and 20%T-GDP 5% and 10%T-GDP 5%Passenger Locator Forms (PLF): Some countries’ immigration and health authorities require passengers to leave a health and travel history record.WHO Situation Report - 176 as of 14 July. Available online at: df?sfvrsn d01ce263 2High:Considerable:Moderate:Low:Data available for 164 destinations(97 destinationswithcompleteborder closureand67anddestina-tionspartial 5%opening of borders).T-GDP 20%T-GDP 10%and 20%T-GDP 5% 10% withT-GDPCOVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM8

50%19%COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM19%18%18%50%50%1413%Figure 5 - Destinations with complete18%border closure, by mode of transport50%18%19%13%Air HIGH13%18%Air HIGHAir MEDAir MEDLand HIGHLand HIGHLand HIGHLand MED13%Air HIGHAir HIGH50%Air MEDAir HIGHAir MED13%Land HIGHLand MEDSource: Data compiled by UNWTO as of 19 July 2020.Note: Land includes rail and road mode of transport.Air MEDLand HIGHperspective, research shows that 50% ofthose destinations are characterized by ahigh dependency on the international arrivalsby air with more than 70% of their arrivalsdepending on this mode of transport. A further13% of those destinations has a mediumdependency (40-70% of all internationalarrivals) on air (Figure 5).Land MED63 destinations had reported no infection(20 destinations) or low infection rates (43destinations) to WHO as of 14 July 2020 (0or 1-100 new COVID-19 cases). A closer lookat the 20 destinations with no new COVID-19cases reported, shows that in 11 of thesedestinations (55%), tourism is of considerableor high importance, as per the T-GDP clusters.Out of the 32 destinations with low infectionrates reported (1-100 new COVID-19 cases)and borders closed, for 44% there is aconsiderable or high economic dependencyon tourism (Figure 6).15In relation to the destination specific publichealth situation, it is observed that out ofthe 115 destinations which currently havetheir borders completely closed, a total of0 new COVID-19cases40% border closure15%Figure6 - Destinationswith completewith up to 100 new 45%COVID-19 cases16reportedtoWHOanddependenceontourism0 new COVID-19 cases40%15%45%0 new COVID-19 cases40%15%45%1-100 new COVID-19 cases6%38%28%28%1-100 new COVID-19 cases6%38%28%28%1-100 new COVID-19High: cases6% Considerable: 38%28%28%Moderate:Low:T-GDP 20%T-GDP 10% and 20%T-GDP 5% and 10%T-GDP 5%High:Considerable:Moderate:Low:T-GDP 20%T-GDP 10% and 20%T-GDP 5% and 10%T-GDP 5%Source: Data elaborated from WHO Situation Report 176 (14 July 2020) and compiled by UNWTO as of 19 July 2020.Note: New cases in last 24hours as per 14 July 2020.High:Moderate:Considerable:Low:T-GDP 20%141516Land MEDT-GDP 10% and 20%T-GDP 5% and 10%T-GDP 5%Data available for 105 destinations out of 115 destinations which have their borders completely closed.Data available for 52 destinations out of 63 destinations which have their borders completely closed and have reported no infection or low infectionrates.Data available for 52 destinations out of 63 destinations which have their borders completely closed and have reported no infection or low infectionrates.COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM9

COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISMTaking into account the classification ofemerging and advanced economies by theIMF, the following can be observed:17from 64% (21 destinations) as of 15 June2020 (Figure 7).The analysis points at advanced economies,which for the most part are located in Europe(74% of European destinations are classified asadvanced economies), being the ones havingopted to ease travel restrictions in a majorityof cases. In fact, out of the 31 destinationsof advanced economies in Europe, 29have eased restrictions, whereas from the23 destinations of emerging economies inEurope, 12 have eased travel restrictions.The European region remains the region thathas started lifting and easing most of travelrestrictions for international tourism.The complete closure of borders is applied in:o 62% of destinations of emergingeconomies (108 destinations), which is adecrease from 75% (132 destinations) asof 15 June 2020.o 17% of destinations of advancedeconomies (7 destinations), which is adecrease from 21% (9 destinations) as of15 June 2020.The partial opening of destinations is appliedin:Emerging economies appear to be moreinclined to keep their borders closed for thetime being. Reasons for this will still need tobe further analysed and might range fromconsiderations related to the public healthand political situation within a destination, tothe role of tourism and the destination s levelof dependence on it.o 30% of destinations of emergingeconomies (53 destinations), which is anincrease from 12% (21 destinations) as of15 June 2020.19 July192020July202015 June 202015June 2020o 71% of destinations of advancedeconomies (30 destinations), an increaseEmerging economies12%88%Figure 7 - Easing of travel restrictions in emerging and advanced economiesEmerging economies12%Advanced economiesAdvanced economies36%64%Emerging economiesEmerging economies36%30%70%30%70%Advanced economies71%Advanced economies29%71%29%Have eased travel restrictionsHave eased travel restrictions1788%64%Have maintained travel restrictionsHave maintained travel restrictionsSource: Data compiled by UNWTO as of 19 July 2020.Out of the total 217 destinations worldwide, 175 destinations belong to the group of emerging economies and 42 destinations to the group ofadvanced economies.COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM10

COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS – A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM5.3Evolution of travel restrictions overtime5.4Travel restrictions including the complete orpartial closure of borders, destination-specifictravel restrictions, suspension of flights andother measures have been in place for 19weeks in 37% of all destinations worldwide(80 destinations), and for 23 weeks in 24% ofall destinations worldwide (51 destinations).Despite the easing of travel restrictions in87 destinations worldwide, the complete orpartial closure of borders continues to bethe most dominant type of travel restrictionacross regions. It is applied in 92% ofdestinations in the Middle East (no variationsince 18 May 2020), 87% of destinations inAfrica (no variation since 15 June 2020), 85%of destinations in Europe (a decrease from91% on 15 June 2020), 80% of destinations inAsia and the Pacific (an increase from 78% on15 June 2020) and 87% of destinations in theAmericas (a decrease from 90% on 15 June2020) (Figure 9).The reponsible opening of borders,proportionate to the public health situationand local risk assessment, is one of the mainprinciples recommended by UNWTO inthe Global Guidelines t

COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS - A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM 4 COVID-19 RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS - A GLOBAL REVIEW FOR TOURISM 2. Introduction This is the sixth issue of a series of reports on COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions - A Global Review for Tourism, aimed at providing an overview and analysis on the