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The countries that might finally reopen to British travellers in 2022
Thailand will be first to welcome UK tourists back and Morocco could follow suit, but don't count on visiting Japan or China any time soon
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Now the UK has rolled back its omicron-related travel restrictions, the outlook for holidays in 2022 is looking much brighter. However, Britons are still banned from a number of countries almost two years after the onset of the pandemic.
Prior to the emergence of the omicron variant, some countries on our list were open, on the cusp of welcoming back tourists, or had at least set out phased plans to do so. Sadly, most now have cold feet and much will depend on how omicron plays out across the world – or if a concerning new variant emerges.
Still, there are positive signs. Thailand, which suspended its quarantine-free travel programme last month, has announced it will resume from February, while France finally rescinded its UK travel ban last week.
Furthermore, evidence has emerged that border restrictions might only delay the peak of a new variant by a few days and the World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly called for the end of punitive international travel bans.
Here, we run though the key tourist destinations still largely off-limits and look at when they might reopen. We’ve assessed the chances for each based on government signals and previous approaches. Of course, the landscape can change fast and holidays anywhere during the pandemic should be booked with robust travel insurance.
Thailand
Reopening prospects: Already announced
For a brief window at the end of last year, Thailand was open for quarantine-free travel, albeit with testing requirements and hefty paperwork. Then fears over omicron caused the country to revert to its ‘sandbox’ scheme, where travellers can only visit the island of Phuket without having to isolate.
However, health officials announced on January 20 that Thailand will ease entry requirements for vaccinated visitors from all countries next month as concerns about the variant decline.
Fully vaccinated travellers will be able to enter the country under the "Test and Go" programme from February 1, if they undergo a PCR test on arrival and spend a night in a pre-booked hotel while awaiting results, and then take a second test and five days later.
The country will no doubt be hoping for an influx of tourists over the new few months after sacrificing some of its peak season over Christmas and New Year.
Morocco
Reopening prospects: Very good
Morocco has been particularly cautious when it comes to travel and put a ban on UK tourists even before the panic over omicron. As it stands, all flights and ferry services into and out of the country are suspended until at least January 31.
However, given its position as Africa’s most vaccinated country and growing discontent among hard-hit tourism businesses, pressure is mounting on the government to ease travel rules. Earlier this week, locals staged a protest in Marrakech railing against the ongoing restrictions.
The figures are stark: tourism generated $8 billion, or seven per cent of Morocco's economy, in 2019, when the country received 13 million tourists. But the central bank expects it to have made only $3.6 billion last year.
A Moroccan health expert has recently added to the chorus urging reopening. Dr Tayeb Hamdi said allowing fully vaccinated travellers who have tested negative to enter the country was “less risky epidemiologically” than the behaviour of residents who do not adhere to preventive measures.
Though no official announcement has been made it seems likely, given the prevailing mood, that the country will reopen soon. When it does, expect a traffic light-style system and test requirements.
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Vietnam
Reopening prospects: Good
Unlike some other countries in south-east Asia, which are doubling down on border closures, the outlook for holidays to Vietnam in 2022 is more promising.
After almost two years, commercial flights finally resumed to five countries (Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and the US) at the start of January, and the government has given the green light for Ho Chi Minh City and the southern coastal region of Binh Dinh to welcome back foreign tourists under a trial vaccine passport scheme from later this month.
Details are still to be confirmed, and it's unclear whether British holidaymakers will be able to visit the country. Still, the move suggests the country is turning away from blanket bans and strict quarantine and is keen to revive its tourist economy, which usually comprises 10 per cent of its GDP.
Laos
Reopening prospects: Good
Little landlocked Laos is finally starting a phased reopening after almost two years cut off from the world. Since January 1, fully vaccinated visitors from a select group of countries, including the UK, have ostensibly been able to travel to certain areas of the country on pre-booked tours. However, its unclear if any tours have actually run yet. Further destinations are set to open from March and July, though details remain scant.
Crucially, the key tourist destinations of temple town Luang Prabang, popular adventure sports hub Vang Vieng and capital Vientiane are included in the initial list of permitted destinations.
Tour companies must be registered with the Laos National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and no indication has been given about when individual travellers will be permitted to return. Currently, most arrivals must isolate for 14 days on arrival.
Australia
Reopening prospects: Fair
‘Fortress Australia’ has changed tack recently, abandoning its Zero Covid efforts and adopting a slightly less stringent approach to border restrictions, even in the face of omicron.
The outbound travel ban was rescinded and immediate family members of Australian citizens or residents plus work visa holders and travellers with a “compelling reason” are now allowed to enter the country. And from January 22, the state of Queensland will allow vaccinated international students and 'working holidaymakers' to travel without the need to quarantine.
However, it's a mixed picture across the federalised country. Western Australia has cancelled February plans to reopen to certain international arrivals and people from other Australian states will only be allowed to enter for essential reasons.
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Bhutan
Reopening prospects: Don’t count on it
Bhutan’s borders have remained closed to all foreign nationals, including British citizens, for the duration of the pandemic. This mysterious mountain kingdom is becoming even more of an enigma. There have been murmurs on the ground of a possible spring reopening but no official government communication on this.
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In a bizarre tale, only one tourist has been granted permission to visit during the last 21 months. Fran Bak told CNN Travel that the experience “involved multiple cancelled or rerouted flights, a series of airport personnel who didn't know which paperwork she would need, and a battery of Covid tests, then 21 days in a hotel quarantine where she only left her suite to take more Covid tests.”
Japan
Reopening prospects: Don’t count on it
Japan was at the top of many travel wish lists at the start of 2020, as host of that year's intended Olympics, but sadly it looks like its cautious government will continue with its strict approach well into 2022.
November saw Japan ease the rules for business travellers, cutting their quarantine period from 10 days to three, but in recent weeks it closed its borders to foreigners entirely.
However, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the tighter border controls were a “temporary measure until information about the omicron variant becomes clear,” adding that “when dealing with an unknown risk, it’s best to take every precaution.”
The current rules are set to last until at least the end of February, and much will depend on how omicron plays out around the world, but hopes are fading that the country will open up in time for cherry blossom season.
New Zealand
Reopening prospects: Don’t count on it
Hopes were raised when New Zealand unveiled a three-stage border reopening in late autumn. First, citizens and visa holders from Australia were due to be allowed in from January, then New Zealanders based in other countries, and finally all vaccinated visitors from the end of April. Arrivals would still have to endure a week-long self isolation, but no longer need to enter a managed isolation facility.
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Predictably, the country got cold feet after the emergence of omicron and pushed back phase one until at least February. And it’s difficult to imagine that British tourists will be allowed to visit anytime soon if our Covid rates remain high and New Zealand continues with its unshakeable elimination strategy.
China
Reopening prospects: Highly unlikely
Few countries have as draconian entry rules and quarantine requirements as China, which has been desperate to avoid another spike in Covid infections.
A ban remains on foreign travellers, and it has recently built a 5,000-room quarantine facility on the outskirts of the sprawling southern port city of Guangzhou to replace the hotels it currently uses for arrivals. The huge complex has a distinctively prison-like look, though will be hi-tech inside, with meals delivered by robots. Other supersize facilities are reportedly being planned throughout the country.
Given China’s determination to persist with its Zero Covid strategy, it's difficult to see tourists being allowed to return in 2022. This was recently underscored by the decision earlier this month to lockdown Yuzhou, a city of 1.2 million people, after detecting only three asymptomatic cases. Meanwhile, the city of Xi’an has only just started to emerge from a severe shutdown after an outbreak linked to a flight from Pakistan in mid-December, with two government officials sacked over their handling of the situation, according to state-run media.
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