Several Destinations are Beyond Tourists’ Reach Even as International Travel Resumes

Photo by Artem Beliaikin

 The global travel industry continues to grapple with decreased workforces and reduced capacity, even though tourists are seen flocking to some coveted overseas destinations. Be it a beach vacation in Thailand, a skiing sojourn in Switzerland, or an adventure at Disney World, experts are already foreseeing a chaotic summer for the travel industry. A majority of tourist destinations have relaxed or dropped restrictions and are reopening their doors to travelers. However, there are a few destinations—quite popular ones—that continue to remain off-limits.

Early signs of betterment are showing up in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. However, there are exceptions. Japan has eased entry restrictions on international travelers, but leisure travelers are still left out. China, on the other hand, is battling another wave of infections, imposing lockdowns and closing its borders to travelers. Macao, the gambling hub of Asia, gives no indication of opening its borders to the world.

Meanwhile, officials in Hong Kong have announced that non-residents can enter the city from May 1. Fiji, where tourism accounts for 40% of the economy, reopened in late 2021. But holidaymakers are still waiting for a number of destinations in the Pacific Island region to open up. These include the Federated States of Micronesia, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, and Tonga.