The world was on pause because of Covid-19. But here’s how the world is preparing to reopen for tourism.
Airlines: Various airlines are banking on June to resume its flights and recover from the coronavirus outbreak in anticipation of more relaxed COVID-19 travel restrictions. Among them include Korean Air, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways. Korean Air, for instance, will fly to Vancouver, Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hanoi, Beijing and Taipei with improved safety measures that include temperature checks on all passengers and disinfecting of aircraft weekly (daily for all flights to North America, China and Italy). And if you’re in Australia, where Qantas hopes to resume flights in July, you could snag a AUD$19 bargain flight when the domestic routes reopen.
Destinations: Denmark showed some love by allowing travellers from Germany and neighbouring Scandinavian countries to reunite with their spouse or partner end of May. A love letter presented at the border suffices. If you don’t have a love interest in Denmark, consider Italy where the popular island of Sicily announced it will pay for half your flights and a third of your hotel costs if you visit later this year. Elsewhere, the governments of Turkey, Thailand and Australia’s New South Wales will reset the travel button by kickstarting the domestic market in June.
Hotels: Aman Junkies would be happy to know that some of their favourite Aman resorts are already open, including Amanoi (Vietnam) and Aman Kyoyo (Japan). More resorts will reopen this June, including Amangiri (US), Amansara (Cambodia) and Aman Sveti Stefan (Montenegro), with flagship property Amanpuri (Thailand) to welcome guests back on July 1. Belmond is also staggering its property openings, beginning June 19 with Italy, the UK and the US. Hoteliers are rolling out special packages to attract guests, too. Anticipating the return of guests to Maldives in autumn 2020, Anantara Kihavah Villas is offering a six-night package that includes three bespoke adventures: snorkelling with manta rays (subject to season – you might be lucky enough to even catch the migration), stargazing at the only over-water observatory in the Maldives and dinner among the coral at underwater fine-dining restaurant, SEA. Unsure when you can travel? The packages are valid until October 31, 2021.
Main picture credit: Cefalu, Sicily
