European Tourism Powerhouses Greece and Italy Move to Allow Entry of Foreign Tourists

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] European 'tourism powerhouses' such as Greece, Italy, and Turkey are expected to partially allow the entry of foreign tourists, which had been restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in a national address on the 20th (local time) that the travel season, postponed due to the pandemic, will officially begin from July 15, and some foreign tourists will be allowed entry.

The countries allowed entry are expected to include Balkan and Baltic countries neighboring Greece with relatively stable COVID-19 situations, as well as Germany, Israel, and the Republic of Cyprus.

Greece, which implemented a lockdown at the end of March, has gradually eased restrictions as the COVID-19 situation has been assessed as relatively stable recently. On the 4th, retail stores resumed normal operations, and on the 16th, beaches reopened. On the 18th, outdoor historical sites such as the Acropolis in Athens reopened.

Greece plans to fully allow foreign tourists to enter starting July 1. Italy will reopen borders with France, Austria, Switzerland, and others from the 3rd of next month, and tourists coming from Schengen Agreement member countries will be exempt from the 14-day quarantine. The Schengen Agreement, which guarantees free movement among member countries, includes 26 countries such as 22 European Union (EU) member states. Italy is expected to reopen airports, closed since early March, on the 3rd of next month, allowing both domestic and international flights.

Austria will reopen borders with Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and others on the 15th of next month, and Germany plans to ease border controls with France, Switzerland, and others from the 25th.

Turkey, spanning Europe and Asia, will allow medical tourists from 31 countries including Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, and the Netherlands starting from the 20th. Additionally, from mid-next month, it will resume flights with Asian countries including South Korea and China.

On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended non-essential travel restrictions with Canada and Mexico, which were scheduled to end on the 20th, until the 22nd of next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.