April Destination News You Might Have Missed

April’s Biggest Destination Travel News
From more countries reopening and dropping their pandemic-related entry requirements than ever before to destinations once again hosting giant spring celebrations like Carnival and Holy Week after years without, April had its fair share of good news for destinations around the world. With international travel expected to surge this summer, everything is looking brighter, like the recent reports on Africa’s and the Middle East’s recoveries. To check out April’s biggest destination news you might have missed, click through this slideshow.

South Korea Reopens to Vaccinated Travelers
South Korea officially reopened quarantine-free to vaccinated travelers on April 1, though all travelers will still need to provide proof of a recent negative PCR test to enter.

Japan Lowers International Travel Advisory for US, Other Countries
Good news for Japanese travelers this month! On April 1, Japanese officials announced that its Foreign Ministry had lowered 106 countries from its Level 3 warning category to its Level 2 category, no longer advising against nonessential international travel. While the country is not yet open for international travelers itself, this step is seen as one in the right direction.

Carnival Returns to Brazil Amid New Tourism Leadership
One of the largest spring celebrations in the world returned to Rio de Janeiro this year: Carnival, begun April 20.

Grenada Drops All Remaining COVID-19 Travel Requirements
On April 4, the Caribbean island of Grenada dropped all of its pandemic-related entry requirements.

Saint Lucia Rescinds Covid Entry Protocols for Vaccinated Visitors
As of April 2, vaccinated visitors to Saint Lucia no longer need to test prior to entering the island. As of April 5, its pre-registration program has been suspended as well.

Belize Lifts Most Coronavirus-Related Travel Restrictions
On April 1, Belize dropped many of its country-wide pandemic-related protocols, including capacity limits and mask-wearing, though travelers will still need to provide a negative test result to enter the country for those who aren’t fully vaccinated.

Tourism Begins to Bounce Back in Africa
New research from ForwardKeys in April found that pent-up demand isn’t just helping the Caribbean and Europe to recover: it’s also helping Africa. Flight searches have risen 30 percent between January and February 2022, while arrivals have risen from -64 percent in 2021 (from pre-pandemic levels) to -34 percent in the second quarter of this year.

Valencia, Spain Welcomes Holy Week Celebrations After Three Years
Another incredible story of recovery: after three years, Valencia’s Maritime Holy Week returned with gusto as residents and travelers alike participated in the many processions and traditions of the city’s Holy Week festivities.

Native-Run Tourism Grows in Alaska
As Alaska’s travel industry continues its story of recovery after having been devastated from the pandemic, Native American-run tour companies are growing.

Cyprus to Scale Back Entry Requirements
On April 18, Cyprus dropped its testing requirement for international arrivals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Cancun, Surrounding Areas Making Travelers Sign Drug Awareness Paperwork
As of April 11, travelers entering the Mexican state of Quintana Roo will have to sign paperwork confirming they understand local laws against drug consumption and transport, an effort to deter travelers from participating in the drug trade.

New Study Finds Americans Would Travel for Cannabis Tourism
A new feature details the rise in cannabis tourism, how popular it is among American travelers and how both Europe and America might fit into the trend.

CDC Lowers COVID-19 Travel Warnings for More Caribbean Countries
More destinations were ranked as Level 1 category risks by the CDC, a good sign of things to come. Some of these were St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia and others.

Greece Lifting Many Coronavirus-Related Restrictions for Summer Tourism Season
Greece is preparing for a busy international travel season this summer, announcing that between May 1 and August 31, travelers and locals no longer need to show proof of vaccination to enter indoor places.

Saint Lucia Records Highest Post-Outbreak Visitor Month
In March, St. Lucia recorded the highest post-pandemic number of monthly arrivals, at 32,110; it’s a 21 percent increase from the island’s tourism authority’s prediction.

Jamaica Drops COVID-Testing, Mask Mandates for International Travelers
Travelers to Jamaica no longer need to wear their masks while on the island, nor do they have to test prior to entering as of April 16. The island has previously done away with its pre-authorization form and quarantine measures.

Honolulu To Require Minimum 3-Month Stays for Vacation Rentals on Oahu
Those wanting to stay in a vacation rental on Oahu will have to book their stay for a minimum of three months, according to a new government ruling aimed at curbing over-tourism.

South Korea Lifting Several COVID-Related Restrictions
Days after South Korea reopened to quarantine-free travel for vaccinated individuals, the country announced it is reviewing the outdoor mask mandate currently in place, while it’s now allowing everyone to eat indoors in places like stadiums and movie theaters.

Australia Removes All Testing Requirements for Traveler Entry
Vaccinated travelers, the only ones allowed into Australia at present, no longer need to test for COVID-19 prior to entering the Land Down Under as of April 18. Travelers are still required to upload their vaccination status to the Digital Passenger Declaration to enter.

Los Cabos Reports Stellar First Quarter Visitor Numbers
During the first quarter of this year, Los Cabos reported arrival numbers that exceed those from the same time in 2019! In March alone, the destination welcomed 325,000 visitors, an 18 percent increase from March 2019’s arrival numbers.

Czech Republic Ends All COVID Travel Restrictions
The Czech Republic is another country ending all of its pandemic-related entry requirements and restrictions this April, in anticipation of a summer travel surge.

Peru Positioning Itself as an Award-Winning Sustainable Destination for 2022
After winning two awards at the Expo 2020 Dubai and three at the Green Destinations Story Awards for sustainability, Peru is hoping to attract more visitors interested in discovering the country’s unique biodiversity and local cultures.

Thailand to End Quarantine for Vaccinated Visitors in May
Beginning May 1, vaccinated travelers to Thailand will no longer have to test prior to entering the country or self-isolate for a day upon arrival while they wait for a post-arrival test result. Vaccinated travelers will still need to sign up through the “Test&Go” program.

Venice Plans To Charge Tourist Entry Fees
Single-day visitors to Venice might have to pay an entrance fee as soon as this summer, as officials to the city seek to manage its tourism. The tax could range from $3 to $11 and be waived if a traveler books a stay at a hotel.

The Middle East Is Showing Real Signs of Travel Recovery
ForwardKeys research found that the Middle East region is showing signs of a travel industry recovery. While international arrivals during the second quarter of 2021 were -64 percent from its 2019 counterpart, this year’s second quarter arrivals have risen to -33 percent, practically doubling from last year, with destinations like Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates leading the way.

CDC Removes All Countries From Level 4 Travel Warning List
In a sweeping move that made many travelers, agents and members of the industry breathe a sigh of relief, the CDC reduced the travel advisory risk level of more than 90 countries around the world from Level 4: Do Not Travel to Level 3, leaving no countries in the Level 4 category as of now.

Switzerland to Lift All Pandemic-Related Travel Restrictions May 2
Another European country anticipating a summer tourist boom is Switzerland, which announced this month that it would drop all its entry restrictions and requirements beginning May 2.

Greece Joins Switzerland in Removing All Entry Restrictions
Greece was the next country in Europe to release all of its pandemic-related entry restrictions, also to end on May 2.

Canada Further Eases Travel Restrictions Effective April 25
As of April 25, children aged 5-11 accompanied by fully vaccinated guardians or parents will no longer need to provide a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter Canada. Additionally, full vaccinated travelers no longer need to provide a COVID-19 quarantine plan, wear masks while in Canada, or monitor and report any symptoms during their trip.