International travel demand is recovering after the coronavirus travel rules are relaxed and could reach pre-pandemic levels within months, travel companies say.
An increase in bookings has come after the prime minister Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday that testing and quarantine requirements for comers will be relaxed.
Fully vaccinated travelers and under 18s will arrive in the UK from 4am on Friday no more lateral flow test required before departure.
They can instead do a lateral flow test on Sunday from 4am instead of the more expensive PCR version for their post-arrival test, the changes saving a family of four around £ 300.
According to a survey of 2,000 UK consumers by the travel trade organization Abta, Spain is the most popular overseas destination people want to visit this year, followed by the US, France, Italy and Greece.
But what are the COVID situations in these popular hotspots?
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People queue to get a free lateral flow COVID test in Madrid, Spain
Spain
According to the current rules, only travelers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can travel to Spain without having to observe additional entry requirements, even if their country of origin is on the country’s risk list.
COVID infections are still on the rise across Spain as the country grapples with a sixth wave of the virus due to the highly transmittable Omicron strain.
Starting on Christmas Eve, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez introduced the use of face masks outdoors to contain the burden – meaning tourists visiting the country may have to mask themselves for most of their vacations.
However, face covering is not mandatory during exercise, on the beach or by the pool, as long as the social distance of 1.5 meters is respected.
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People queue for a COVID-19 test in Times Square, New York
US
The US eased its travel restrictions in early November before the Omicron variant hit the market.
It has since suspended entry for non-citizens who stayed in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe in the 14 days prior to entry or attempted entry.
However, most fully vaccinated foreign citizens can travel to the United States.
Before boarding a flight to the United States, most passengers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result obtained no more than one day prior to travel.
Currently, anyone aged two or over who is not fully vaccinated is required to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, but not outdoors.
People are expected to wear face covers on airplanes, buses, trains, and other public transit systems traveling to, from, or within the United States, as well as indoors at transportation hubs such as airports and train stations.
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Masked residents and tourists walk down the Champs Elysee in Paris
France
Anyone wishing to travel to France from the UK regardless of their vaccination status can only do so for compelling reasons.
As of Thursday, people will be able to travel between the UK and France for professional reasons that require an on-site presence that cannot be deferred, with travelers being required to provide evidence from their employer.
France had previously eased its travel measures during the festive period following an outcry from British nationals unable to travel home via the Eurotunnel.
Wearing masks outdoors was made mandatory in Paris last month as the country struggles to control an omicron surge.
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A visitor shows his green passport at the entrance to the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy
Italy
Regardless of vaccination status, arrival in Italy by air, land or sea can be subject to a random COVID test on arrival by January 31st.
If you are traveling from the UK and can prove your full vaccination with a negative PCR test, you can travel to Italy without having to self-isolate.
Travelers must wear a mask at all times when using public transport in Italy, but this rule does not apply outdoors.
Everyone must also keep a distance of at least one meter, only high-speed trains have no social distancing rules.
Since October, cultural institutions, including theaters, cinemas and concert halls, have been allowed to operate at full capacity.
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A shop clerk reviews customers’ vaccination certificates in Athens, Greece
Greece
People traveling to Greece must complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) and proof of a negative PCR or antigen-covid rapid test.
In response to the rise in Omicron, the country’s government reintroduced the wearing of masks outdoors last month.
Double masking or wearing highly protective face covering is also required in public transport and in supermarkets.
All travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, were advised to perform a lateral flow or PCR test on the second and fourth day after arriving in the country.
Travel back to pre-COVID levels “by spring”
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays and the holiday airline Jet2.com, announced that the company is making travel to mainland Spain, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Turkey and Greece very popular.
He said: “The relaxation of travel restrictions is welcome news for both the travel industry and vacationers and comes at a traditionally busy time for vacation bookings.
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on new travel measures
“We have seen an immediate and dramatic spike in bookings, with volumes heading towards pre-pandemic levels since the government announcement, demonstrating the level of demand among those looking to travel for a much-needed vacation.”
Tui also had the largest booking peaks for Mexico and the Canary Islands.
A tour operator’s spokeswoman said Mr Johnson’s announcement “gave the British the confidence that traveling is becoming easier and more affordable again.”
She continued: “We have already seen an immediate and strong increase in bookings and now we expect bookings to normalize for the summer of 2022.
“January is traditionally the busiest month for vacation bookings and demand has not yet reached pre-COVID levels. So we need to see continued confidence in travel for the industry to fully recover. “
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Meanwhile, the luxury travel company Kuoni predicts that travel will hit pre-pandemic levels by spring.
Its chief executive officer, Derek Jones, said the relaxation of testing rules “should mark the beginning of the end of COVID as a blocker for international travel.”
He added, “I predict that travel will be 90% down to 2019 levels before the end of spring.
“We are already seeing increased call volume and travel requests for the coming year as trust grows.”