While Ireland is not likely to relax travel restrictions enough to allow holidays abroad this summer, it hasn't stopped European countries opening the door four tourists to take a trip
With discussions on the Digital Green Certificates ongoing among the European Commission member states, the hope is that potential tourists will be able to use these certificates to prove full vaccination and a recent negative PCR test before flying abroad.
But which holiday destinations are preparing to accept tourists with these certificates?
Greece
As a country that is heavily dependent on its tourism industry, it comes as no surprise that Greece is looking to open to foreign tourists in the summer months.
Having faced delays from starting its tourism season in April due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this resulted in yacht trips around the Greek islands and visits to the Acropolis, both favourites among visiting tourists, being run at reduced capacity or not at all.
Greece still prohibits the opening of bars and restaurants under its country’s public health guidelines, but its Culture Minister has previously stated the push to vaccinate all tourism workers by the summer and stands behind the vaccine certificate initiative.
Portugal
Along with many EU member states, Portugal intends to open up its borders for tourists in July and August of this year.
However ,government officials have said that tourists need only provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or that they have recently recovered from the virus to visit.
Iceland
Iceland has been following a strict testing and tracing protocol throughout the pandemic, which due to its relatively smaller population and less population density, sees it preparing for tourists in summer 2021.
Tourists from approved countries will be permitted to enter Iceland, providing two COVID-19 tests, with a 5-day quarantine between or provide a certificate proving you are either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have previously contracted and recovered from Covid-19.
Australia
Not only is Australia looking for foreign tourists, they have the planes ready to go from April 19.
The country will accept tourists from countries that operate a two-way quarantine-free travel bubble later this month.
However, New Zealand is currently the only confirmed country to have a two-way quarantine travel bubble with Australia, but the groundwork has been set for other countries to prepare to send tourists once the travel bubble is secure.
Spain
Similarly to Portugal, Spain will allow tourists with a vaccine passport to enter on holidays from May 2021.
Indonesia
From July, the Bali province of Indonesia will be open for foreign tourists to visit.
The Indonesian government is currently working on plans to create a travel corridor and bubble with other countries to help incentivise tourists to visit.
In March 2021, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy said that countries intending to work with Indonesia to create this travel corridor must “be able to keep infection rates under control and maintain significant vaccination progress.”
The Bali province will see a number of Covid-19 green zones established by the government to provide a safe holiday for tourists.
