Top destination travel news from November

Destinations: Top Stories From November
This past month has been busy for destinations across the world: new campaigns, easing or tightening travel restrictions and an awards ceremony recognizing the world’s best destinations are just some of the stories we’ve written about this past month. Click through this round-up to see what you’ve missed!

Argentina Reopens To Vaccinated US Travelers November 1
Argentina reopened to fully vaccinated travelers on November 1. Travelers must test negative for COVID-19 prior to entry but are otherwise free to travel throughout the country.

Latest Countries Reopening To US Travelers
Several countries announced their reopening plans, including Cambodia in January 2022, Cuba on November 15 and Israel on November 1.

Thailand Is Now Open – Here’s What You Need To Know
Thailand opened to fully vaccinated travelers and those who have recovered from coronavirus earlier in the month. Those who travel should fill out the Thailand Health Pass, purchase the required travel medical insurance and pay ahead for a minimum one-night stay at an SHA-certified hotel.

Israel Reopens To COVID Vaccinated, Recovered International Travelers
Israel reopened to fully vaccinated American travelers for the first time in 19 months. Travelers must test negative for COVID-19 prior to flying to Israel, complete an online passenger declaration form and test and quarantine upon arrival until the second test results have been delivered.

Australia-New Zealand Travel Bubble Resumes in Run-Up to Reopening
Australia and New Zealand’s travel bubble resumed earlier in the month, allowing for quarantine-free travel between the two countries for fully vaccinated travelers. It marked one of the first steps in both countries’ reopening plans.

St. Kitts and Nevis Welcomes New US Flight Departures
St. Kitts and Nevis announced news that American Airlines will expand holiday service to the two-island nation this year, with flights between St. Kitts and Miami, Charlotte and New York City.

Qatar Tourism Unveils New Tourism Campaign
Qatar has launched a new tourism campaign to help grow its tourism industry, including expanding its travel advisor training program. The new campaign is entitled, “Experience a World Beyond.”

Costa Rica Updates COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
Costa Rica announced earlier this month that beginning in January 2022, many of its indoor attractions, including hotels and resorts, will only allow fully vaccinated individuals inside. Travelers 12 years and older must upload their vaccination info in an electronic health pass in order to enter these businesses and attractions.

Jamaica Receives Lower COVID-19 Risk Designation
The CDC and the U.S. State Department have lowered Jamaica’s COVID-19 risk level from Level 4: Do Not Travel to Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to its lower levels of coronavirus.

Hawaii Unveils New International Travel Requirement Details
Beginning November 8, Hawaii has welcomed fully vaccinated international visitors as long as they test negative for coronavirus prior to entry.

Rwanda Implements New COVID-19 Rules for International Travelers
The Republic of Rwanda reopened to international travelers on November 5. While both unvaccinated and vaccinated travelers can enter the country, all must test negative for COVID-19 prior to entering the country. Travelers will be tested again at the airport upon arrival and self-isolate until they receive their results. Travelers must also complete a Passenger Locator Form.

France Pauses Pre-Arrival Health Pass Applications for US Travelers
France has changed its rules for obtaining a Health Pass for US travelers following several outbreaks of coronavirus. Travelers cannot obtain one prior to arrival, but must do so once they have arrived in France, by either purchasing and applying for one at a participating pharmacy or obtaining a temporary Health Pass QR code by testing negative for coronavirus.

Amadeus Reveals 2022 Travel Trends
Amadeus has identified some of the trends that will spread throughout the travel industry in the coming year, including bucket-list trips, friend group vacations, eco-friendly active travel, business travel and more.

Madeira, Portugal To Welcome First-Ever Direct Flight From New York City
Madeira has welcomed its first non-stop flight from New York’s JFK Airport to Funchal on November 29, making it easier for Americans to travel to the island chain.

2021 Travvy Awards Honors the Top Destinations in the World
The 2021 Travvy Awards were announced mid-month, recognizing destinations like Chile, Australia, Panama, Las Vegas and others in a variety of different categories.

Thailand’s Movie-Famous Maya Bay To Reopen in January
Thailand’s Maya Bay, which had closed in 2018 following the destruction of its ecosystem due to overtourism, will be reopening next year with a reduced capacity limit and a revived ecosystem.

Tourism Numbers in Greece Up Significantly Since Reopening
Greece’s tourism reached half of its 2019 pre-pandemic levels in the first eight months of 2021, an encouraging sign of the country’s recovery.

India Reopens Quarantine-Free To Vaccinated Tourists From 99 Countries
India reopened to quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated travelers. Vaccinated travelers can also forgo a mandatory COVID-19 pre-arrival test, which unvaccinated travelers are expected to complete, as well as a post-arrival quarantine period.

Comic-Con Museum Set to Open in San Diego
The Comic-Con Museum celebrated its soft opening in San Francisco on November 26, featuring six exhibits.

Antigua and Barbuda Officials Ease Entry Protocols
Antigua and Barbuda have eased their entry protocols, allowing vaccinated travelers to present a negative test and a health declaration form.

Excursion Options Emerge Under Revised St. Kitts and Nevis Protocols
Travelers arriving to St. Kitts and Nevis by air can now participate in many of the same excursions as cruise passengers and can book the approved tours from their hotel or resort.

Hawaii to Lift Many Coronavirus-Related Restrictions
Hawaii announced plans to lift many of its COVID-19 restrictions beginning December 1, including capacity limits and social distancing requirements. The state noted that its high vaccination rate has prompted these changes.

Africa and Middle East Travel Show Signs of Recovery
New data finds that destinations within Africa and the Middle East are recovering at a faster rate than the global average and some are recovering even faster than those in Europe.

New Zealand Sets Reopening Date for Tourism
New Zealand has set its reopening date to April 30, 2022, allowing fully vaccinated international travelers to enter, provided they test negative prior to departure, upon arrival and self-isolate for seven days upon arrival.

Chile Updates Entry Requirements for Travelers
International travelers to Chile can forgo any testing requirements or mandatory quarantines if they provide proof of having their COVID-19 booster shot.

British Virgin Islands Eases Entry Protocols
Travelers who are fully vaccinated arriving to the British Virgin Islands no longer have to test upon arrival or pre-register on the British Virgin Islands’ Hummingbird Portal. They simply need to present proof of full vaccination and test negative prior to traveling to the islands.

Omicron Variant Prompts Changes
The new COVID-19 Omicron variant was first reported in South Africa in late November. New cases were found in Europe, which prompted several tourism destinations around the world to implement safety measures and travel restrictions.