The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) UK & Ireland has welcomed the removal of quarantine requirements across the region as a “real cause for optimism”.
Speaking in the wake of the relaxation of Covid travel restrictions in the region, Pata chairman Chris Crampton said the consensus among members was that it “finally feels like we are in the recovery phase of the pandemic” and that they can “start planning again” for clients’ travel.
He said: “There is real cause for optimism with the recent flurry of reopenings in the Pacific Asia region.
“However, the biggest barrier for travellers remains for those countries that require testing on arrival, which discourages visitors from travelling.
“Until we see more countries removing this stipulation, tourism to the region cannot fully recover.”
Australia, Cambodia, Bali, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India and Oman have all removed quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated visitors.
This week Vietnam and Hong Kong both announced they would reopen to holidaymakers without quarantine rules, opening up the whole of Indochina, which also includes Cambodia and Laos and neighbouring Thailand.
Malaysia is due to reopen on April 1 to international travel, followed by New Zealand in May. Current discussions in Japan suggest the destination will also reopen in the near future.
The UK has already removed all its remaining Covid travel restrictions to the UK, including the Passenger Locator Form and tests for non-vaccinated arrivals.
Crampton highlighted slow travel as a noticeable trend and said members were now anticipating the return of multi-centre travel as travel between countries became easier.
Janice Kurrle, marketing manager UK & Europe, South Australian Tourism Commission, said: “We are expecting visitors to Australia to slow down. Gone are the days of racing round the country ticking off a list of icons and spending every few days heading to a domestic airport for the next flight.
“We think Brits will spend longer in Australia but pick just two states or territories to base themselves in, lingering longer and immersing themselves more in local life.”
David Kevan, partner, CHIC Locations, said clients were excited about being able to travel to several different destinations in one trip.
He said: “The appeal of southeast Asia to so many travellers is to combine several points of interest, either in one country or to visit two or three neighbouring countries .
“Logistically this has been nigh impossible in the last two years, but now almost simultaneously most countries have relaxed protocols so multi-centres are back . This is a great boost to the region as we can start selling again with confidence.”
Next month Pata is bringing back in-person spring quizzes nationwide for travel agents, with recently-opened Australia one of the participating suppliers. The quizzes take place in Leeds on April 25; Manchester on April 26 and Glasgow on April 27.