Asia Begins to Reopen Borders – Travel Bubbles Commence with Low-Risk Nations

Global travel has received a much-needed boost with several nations in Asia reopening borders with low-risk nations. Increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates have been amongst the key factors that have led to travel bubbles being launched offering quarantine-free travel. For example, in September this year, Singapore initiated a travel lane with Brunei and Germany for fully vaccinated travellers be it for family, business or leisure visits. In keeping with such developments, any well-known hotel chain in Asia including properties of hospitality brands like the Park Hotel Group have put strict health and hygiene measures in place to ensure safe stays.

Another example of Asia reopening was seen in Thailand when it launched its “tourist sandbox scheme” first on the island of Phuket (1st July 2021) and subsequently in Samui (15th July 2021). Other noteworthy developments this year included South Korea and Saipan beginning a quarantine-free travel bubble in July and the Taiwan-Palau travel bubble in April.