In continuation of its efforts to highlight the issues and concerns of the outbound industry to those in the office of power, Riaz Munshi, President, Outbound Tour Operators of India (OTOAI), met up with the Tourism Minister, Prahlad Singh Patel. He had a detailed meeting with the minister at the Ministry of Tourism Office along with presidents of other leading travel trade associations. Munshi says, “The Tourism Minister listened patiently to all that we had to say. He has assured us that roll-back of TCS, not making pan card necessary for foreign remittances for foreign nationals and NRIs will be taken up with the government on priority. The honourable Minister is hopeful that all these discussions will have a positive outcome and that relief on these fronts will be announced soon.”

Saint Lucia has announced plans to begin reopening the island’s tourism industry in phases starting on June 4. Among their many precautions, visitors will have to take a coronavirus test before arriving. Elsewhere in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis prepare to welcome tourists.

The Bahamas is targeting July 1 in its latest plans to reopen its borders for international travel, depending on the circumstance. Its resorts, airports and seaports are currently finalising health and safety protocols that will be necessary for them to provide for a re-opening.

Spain will allow tourists to return from the end of June. Many Spaniards were able to meet up in small groups and have a drink on restaurant terraces. In Valencia, masked waiters laid out tables. Churches and cathedrals in some areas of Spain have been open at 30% capacity for a week.

Greece has started welcoming visitors to the Acropolis. Italians enjoyed their first meal out in two months as the bars and restaurants opened for business. St Peter’s basilica in the Vatican also opened with physical distancing in place. In Venice, gondoliers wearing face masks ferried visitors along the Grand Canal.

The Seychelles’ international airport will reopen for commercial flights in June. However, the reopening will make no immediate difference as the island nation’s main markets are still under no-travel orders. Seychelles will also be closed to cruise ships until 2022 and the islands will have to rely on air travel only.

Home to the world’s longest zip-line, Toroverde Adventure Park in Ras Al Khaimah has reopened with new safety rules after a two-month closure. Prior booking and face masks even mid-flight are essential for visitors. RAK’s Al Hamra has also re-opened its hotels and the golf club.