Taiwan declared a significant move on Thursday (August 24), announcing plans to relax restrictions on Chinese business and group travellers. This decision marks a crucial step toward the revival of tourism exchanges with mainland China, potentially heralding a thaw in their strained relations.

Back in 2019, Beijing halted individual tourism permits to Taiwan, a move widely interpreted as a reflection of deteriorating relations between the two nations. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's steadfast refusal to acknowledge China's sovereignty over Taiwan exacerbated these tensions. While Taiwan reopened its borders to most tourists in October of the previous year after enduring years of COVID-19-related closures, travellers from mainland China remained excluded.

<h2>A gradual reopening</h2>

The Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for cross-strait relations within the Taiwanese government, announced their intention to "loosen restrictions" on Chinese business travellers starting the following Monday. Additionally, starting from September 1, individual Chinese nationals will be permitted to apply to enter Taiwan from third-party countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-proposes-3-billion-spending-on-new-weapons-gets-f-16-boost-628762">Taiwan proposes $3 billion spending on new weapons, gets F-16 boost</a>

<h2>Gradual increase in tourism</h2>

In a move signalling optimism, Taiwan also disclosed plans to allow Chinese tour groups to visit the island, with an initial daily cap of 2,000 visitors. However, specific dates for the resumption of group tours were not provided.

The policy shift includes a provision for reciprocal travel. Taiwanese tour groups will be allowed to travel to China, but again, the initial limit will be set at 2,000 individuals per day.

Also watch |&nbsp;Chinese spy try to hack into MP Alicia Kearn's email account

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-spy-try-to-hack-into-mp-alicia-kearns-email-account-628796/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Seeking diplomatic reconciliation</h2>

Taiwan's decision to relax restrictions can be seen as a diplomatic overture to China. Jan Jyh-horng, a government spokesperson, expressed the hope that this move would pave the way for a broader resumption of exchanges between the two sides. He emphasised the importance of fostering positive responses from China.

Taiwan has experienced a significant decline in mainland Chinese tourists since President Tsai assumed office in 2016. This drop has been attributed to a more negative portrayal of Taiwan in Chinese media and Beijing's ban on group tours.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Taiwan declared a significant move on Thursday (August 24), announcing plans to relax restrictions on Chinese business and group travellers. This decision marks a crucial step toward the revival of tourism exchanges with mainland China, potentially heralding a thaw in their strained relations.

Taiwan declared a significant move on Thursday (August 24), announcing plans to relax restrictions on Chinese business and group travellers. This decision marks a crucial step toward the revival of tourism exchanges with mainland China, potentially heralding a thaw in their strained relations. Back in 2019, Beijing halted individual tourism permits to Taiwan, a move widely interpreted as a reflection of deteriorating relations between the two nations. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's steadfast refusal to acknowledge China's sovereignty over Taiwan exacerbated these tensions. While Taiwan reopened its borders to most tourists in October of the previous year after enduring years of COVID-19-related closures, travellers from mainland China remained excluded. A gradual reopening The Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for cross-strait relations within the Taiwanese government, announced their intention to "loosen restrictions" on Chinese business travellers starting the following Monday. Additionally, starting from September 1, individual Chinese nationals will be permitted to apply to enter Taiwan from third-party countries. Also read | Taiwan proposes $3 billion spending on new weapons, gets F-16 boost Gradual increase in tourism In a move signalling optimism, Taiwan also disclosed plans to allow Chinese tour groups to visit the island, with an initial daily cap of 2,000 visitors. However, specific dates for the resumption of group tours were not provided. The policy shift includes a provision for reciprocal travel. Taiwanese tour groups will be allowed to travel to China, but again, the initial limit will be set at 2,000 individuals per day. Also watch | Chinese spy try to hack into MP Alicia Kearn's email account Seeking diplomatic reconciliation Taiwan's decision to relax restrictions can be seen as a diplomatic overture to China. Jan Jyh-horng, a government spokesperson, expressed the hope that this move would pave the way for a broader resumption of exchanges between the two sides. He emphasised the importance of fostering positive responses from China. Taiwan has experienced a significant decline in mainland Chinese tourists since President Tsai assumed office in 2016. This drop has been attributed to a more negative portrayal of Taiwan in Chinese media and Beijing's ban on group tours. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

A diplomatic shift? Taiwan to ease restrictions on Chinese tourists

In pics | Bali welcomes Chinese tourists after three years of Covid hiatus

In pics: Japan eases Covid restrictions for foreign tourists

Venice imposes tax and reservation system for travellers

After losing two years to the COVID-19 pandemic, shopkeepers in the heart of the Turkish Riviera had hoped for a strong tourism season this year to help keep their businesses afloat. But Russia's war in Ukraine is fast dampening their spirits.

We're trying to earn our bread through tourism, but it looks like the war has finished off this (tourism) season, too, Devrim Akcay said outside his clothing shop in the resort town of Belek, along the Mediterranean coast's Antalya province.

Nowhere is the threat of just one ripple effect of the war&nbsp;lost tourism&nbsp;felt more strongly than in Antalya, a region dotted with shimmering beaches and archeological sites where visitors from Russia and Ukraine, along with Germany, make up the top contributors to tourism revenue.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-central-bank-governor-wanted-to-resign-over-ukraine-putin-refused-report-465185">Russia's central bank governor wanted to resign over Ukraine, Putin refused: Report</a>

Countries from Turkey to Thailand, Egypt and Cuba are bracing for the loss of Russian and Ukrainian visitors just as their travel sectors were looking to rebound from the pandemic. With many tourist-dependent economies also struggling with surging inflation and other woes, hotel workers, guides and others who serve visitors from the two warring nations expect more pain.

The turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the Cuban resort of Varadero, which until recently received a significant number of tourists mainly Russians are now almost empty.

Russians accounted for almost a third of Cuba's visitors last year more than 146,000&nbsp;and some saw them as the way to get some oxygen to an industry ailing from the pandemic and tighter sanctions imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Now, we also have to get by without the Russian tourism,&nbsp;said Jos&nbsp;Luis Perell&nbsp;Cabrera, a Cuban economist and tourism expert. 
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia estimated that between 6,000 and 8,000 Russian tourists were on the island when the war in Ukraine broke out. Several flights left from Varadero in early March to bring them home.

Losing that market is a strong blow to Cuba, said Natasha Strelkova, Russian-Cuban tour operator and guide on the island.

Across the Atlantic, Russians and Ukrainians can represent up to 35% of Egypt's tourists annually, said Hisham el-Demiry, former head of the government-run Tourism Development Authority.

He worries the economic crisis brought on by the war could mean fewer guests overall.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-a-nuclear-power-why-not-top-russian-diplomat-over-ukraine-invasion-465180">'We are a nuclear power, why not?': Top Russian diplomat over Ukraine invasion</a>

It's a huge impact, a domino effect. ... The war has changed people's priorities, and tourism, which is a very sensitive industry, will be the first victim,&nbsp;he said.

Rania Ali, a reception manager at a four-star hotel in Hurghada, said they were over 75% occupied early before the war, now we are just 35%.&nbsp;Russians were just among the top 10 groups of visitors to Thailand until late last year, when the country began to reopen to international tourists. Russia restarted charter flights relatively early and in winter, when Thailand's balmy temperatures make it a highly desirable destination, helping its people become the top visitors among the modest numbers that Thailand started welcoming back.

The November-to-March season when Russians usually visit is drawing to an end, and the plunge in the ruble's value makes travel to Thailand and anywhere else far more costly now, said Chattan Kunjira Na Ayudhya, deputy governor for International Marketing for the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

This probably will lead Russian tourists to shift to destinations that offer them all-inclusive packages with better prices,&nbsp;he said.

In Turkey, officials had hoped that with pandemic restrictions easing, tourism could replicate or exceed the numbers from 2019, when some 52 million visitors&nbsp;including about 7 million Russians and 1.6 million Ukrainians &nbsp;brought $34 billion in revenue. The overall number of visitors dropped to 15 million in 2020 but recovered to around 29 million last year.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had strategized that opening up the economy and delivering big growth this year could help him get reelected next year, experts say. It's a tall order for a country with a currency crisis and inflation exceeding 54%, making it difficult for consumers to purchase even basic goods.

For that to happen, Turkey needs to have its robust tourism and trade ties with Russia unhindered,&nbsp;said Soner Cagaptay, a Turkey analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-calls-for-ukraine-ceasefire-offers-mediation-by-china-and-islamic-nations-465100">Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations</a>

The expectation before the war was maybe 10, 15 million Russians would be visiting Turkey this summer that will be spending 10 billion dollars, a shot in the arm for Turkey's ailing economy," Cagaptay said.

Now, business groups say they're seeing erosion in trade both ways, including a fall in demand for Turkish produce because Russian buyers are struggling to make payments. That's despite Turkey not joining in sanctions against Moscow.

Agricultural grower and exporter Nevzat Akcan worries he may not be able to ship the red bell peppers he grows in greenhouses in the district of Aksu solely for Russian and Ukrainian markets.

May God protect us if we join the sanctions against Russia. This would be a disaster for Turkish agriculture. We would be ruined and finished," Akcan said. I don't even want to think about it.&nbsp;NATO-member Turkey, which has cultivated close ties with both Russia and Ukraine, is trying to balance those relations and has positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate. Turkey has criticized Russia's military actions in Ukraine as unacceptable but also said it would not give up on either side.

The Antalya region is haunted by the memory of 2016, when Russia inflicted a serious blow to Turkey's economy by barring the import of some agricultural produce and stopping charter flights there after the Turkish military shot down a Russian fighter plane in 2015.

Agriculture has already started to suffer from the effects of the war, said Davut Cetin, head of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Ukrainian market has been shut down. No fresh fruit or vegetable is leaving for Ukraine now, Cetin said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Russia expels several American diplomats in tit-for-tat move

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-expels-several-american-diplomats-in-tit-for-tat-move-465102/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

After losing two years to the COVID-19 pandemic, shopkeepers in the heart of the Turkish Riviera had hoped for a strong tourism season this year to help keep their businesses afloat.

After losing two years to the COVID-19 pandemic, shopkeepers in the heart of the Turkish Riviera had hoped for a strong tourism season this year to help keep their businesses afloat. But Russia's war in Ukraine is fast dampening their spirits. We're trying to earn our bread through tourism, but it looks like the war has finished off this (tourism) season, too, Devrim Akcay said outside his clothing shop in the resort town of Belek, along the Mediterranean coast's Antalya province. Nowhere is the threat of just one ripple effect of the war lost tourism felt more strongly than in Antalya, a region dotted with shimmering beaches and archeological sites where visitors from Russia and Ukraine, along with Germany, make up the top contributors to tourism revenue. Also read | Russia's central bank governor wanted to resign over Ukraine, Putin refused: Report Countries from Turkey to Thailand, Egypt and Cuba are bracing for the loss of Russian and Ukrainian visitors just as their travel sectors were looking to rebound from the pandemic. With many tourist-dependent economies also struggling with surging inflation and other woes, hotel workers, guides and others who serve visitors from the two warring nations expect more pain. The turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the Cuban resort of Varadero, which until recently received a significant number of tourists mainly Russians are now almost empty. Russians accounted for almost a third of Cuba's visitors last year more than 146,000 and some saw them as the way to get some oxygen to an industry ailing from the pandemic and tighter sanctions imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Now, we also have to get by without the Russian tourism, said Jos Luis Perell Cabrera, a Cuban economist and tourism expert. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia estimated that between 6,000 and 8,000 Russian tourists were on the island when the war in Ukraine broke out. Several flights left from Varadero in early March to bring them home. Losing that market is a strong blow to Cuba, said Natasha Strelkova, Russian-Cuban tour operator and guide on the island. Across the Atlantic, Russians and Ukrainians can represent up to 35% of Egypt's tourists annually, said Hisham el-Demiry, former head of the government-run Tourism Development Authority. He worries the economic crisis brought on by the war could mean fewer guests overall. Also read | 'We are a nuclear power, why not?': Top Russian diplomat over Ukraine invasion It's a huge impact, a domino effect. ... The war has changed people's priorities, and tourism, which is a very sensitive industry, will be the first victim, he said. Rania Ali, a reception manager at a four-star hotel in Hurghada, said they were over 75% occupied early before the war, now we are just 35%. Russians were just among the top 10 groups of visitors to Thailand until late last year, when the country began to reopen to international tourists. Russia restarted charter flights relatively early and in winter, when Thailand's balmy temperatures make it a highly desirable destination, helping its people become the top visitors among the modest numbers that Thailand started welcoming back. The November-to-March season when Russians usually visit is drawing to an end, and the plunge in the ruble's value makes travel to Thailand and anywhere else far more costly now, said Chattan Kunjira Na Ayudhya, deputy governor for International Marketing for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This probably will lead Russian tourists to shift to destinations that offer them all-inclusive packages with better prices, he said. In Turkey, officials had hoped that with pandemic restrictions easing, tourism could replicate or exceed the numbers from 2019, when some 52 million visitors including about 7 million Russians and 1.6 million Ukrainians brought $34 billion in revenue. The overall number of visitors dropped to 15 million in 2020 but recovered to around 29 million last year. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had strategized that opening up the economy and delivering big growth this year could help him get reelected next year, experts say. It's a tall order for a country with a currency crisis and inflation exceeding 54%, making it difficult for consumers to purchase even basic goods. For that to happen, Turkey needs to have its robust tourism and trade ties with Russia unhindered, said Soner Cagaptay, a Turkey analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Also read | Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations The expectation before the war was maybe 10, 15 million Russians would be visiting Turkey this summer that will be spending 10 billion dollars, a shot in the arm for Turkey's ailing economy," Cagaptay said. Now, business groups say they're seeing erosion in trade both ways, including a fall in demand for Turkish produce because Russian buyers are struggling to make payments. That's despite Turkey not joining in sanctions against Moscow. Agricultural grower and exporter Nevzat Akcan worries he may not be able to ship the red bell peppers he grows in greenhouses in the district of Aksu solely for Russian and Ukrainian markets. May God protect us if we join the sanctions against Russia. This would be a disaster for Turkish agriculture. We would be ruined and finished," Akcan said. I don't even want to think about it. NATO-member Turkey, which has cultivated close ties with both Russia and Ukraine, is trying to balance those relations and has positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate. Turkey has criticized Russia's military actions in Ukraine as unacceptable but also said it would not give up on either side. The Antalya region is haunted by the memory of 2016, when Russia inflicted a serious blow to Turkey's economy by barring the import of some agricultural produce and stopping charter flights there after the Turkish military shot down a Russian fighter plane in 2015. Agriculture has already started to suffer from the effects of the war, said Davut Cetin, head of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Ukrainian market has been shut down. No fresh fruit or vegetable is leaving for Ukraine now, Cetin said. Watch | Russia expels several American diplomats in tit-for-tat move

Countries brace for hit to tourism from Russia-Ukraine war

New Zealand is known for its warm welcome and beautiful natural attractions. However, like every good thing, this too is coming to an end.

While the heart-warming smiles and warm welcome will remain, New Zealand is planning to cut down access to some of the best natural attractions for tourists to protect the environment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-fires-nine-border-workers-who-refused-coronavirus-vaccines-382562">New Zealand fires nine border workers who refused coronavirus vaccines</a>

On Tuesday, the tourism minister, Stuart Nash, announced plans to "reset" the country’s tourism in a post-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid</a> world.

Under this plan, attractions such as Unesco world heritage site Milford Sound-Piopiotahi will now be open to limited visitors as the site "cannot return to its pre-Covid state," Nash explained.

While the tourism industry makes more than five per cent of the total GDP of the country and employs nearly 13.6 per cent people directly or indirectly, the country cannot risk harming its environment any further.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-pm-ardern-plans-summer-wedding-report-382915" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-pm-ardern-plans-summer-wedding-report-382915&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiw5ZD34LTwAhVuxzgGHdrgBdwQFjADegQIBxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0OiwT9OutsEQQpbabWJ970" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-pm-ardern-plans-summer-wedding-report-382915" target="_blank">New Zealand PM Ardern plans summer wedding: Report</a>

"The reality is that we have a responsibility to take an intergenerational view of the role of tourism in New Zealand," Nash said. "It can’t go back to how it was."

Nash also explained that the high level of tourism puts immense pressure on several communities. "Unsustainable tourism levels put far too much undue pressure on communities and our natural attractions and many communities have struggled to absorb," he explained.

New Zealand government has unveiled a $200 million package which will help support the South Island towns, which have been hit due to the pandemic, and also in supporting small businesses.

"The economic impact of the loss of international visitors is felt beyond the tourism workforce and businesses," Nash said. "Whole communities, especially in five South Island regions, are facing new challenges to their way of life."

New Zealand is known for its warm welcome and beautiful natural attractions. However, like every good thing, this too is coming to an end. While the heart-warming smiles and warm welcome will remain, New Zealand is planning to cut down access to some of the best natural attractions for tourists to protect the environment.

New Zealand is known for its warm welcome and beautiful natural attractions. However, like every good thing, this too is coming to an end. While the heart-warming smiles and warm welcome will remain, New Zealand is planning to cut down access to some of the best natural attractions for tourists to protect the environment. Also read | New Zealand fires nine border workers who refused coronavirus vaccines On Tuesday, the tourism minister, Stuart Nash, announced plans to "reset" the country’s tourism in a post-Covid world. Under this plan, attractions such as Unesco world heritage site Milford Sound-Piopiotahi will now be open to limited visitors as the site "cannot return to its pre-Covid state," Nash explained. While the tourism industry makes more than five per cent of the total GDP of the country and employs nearly 13.6 per cent people directly or indirectly, the country cannot risk harming its environment any further. Also read | New Zealand PM Ardern plans summer wedding: Report "The reality is that we have a responsibility to take an intergenerational view of the role of tourism in New Zealand," Nash said. "It can’t go back to how it was." Nash also explained that the high level of tourism puts immense pressure on several communities. "Unsustainable tourism levels put far too much undue pressure on communities and our natural attractions and many communities have struggled to absorb," he explained. New Zealand government has unveiled a $200 million package which will help support the South Island towns, which have been hit due to the pandemic, and also in supporting small businesses. "The economic impact of the loss of international visitors is felt beyond the tourism workforce and businesses," Nash said. "Whole communities, especially in five South Island regions, are facing new challenges to their way of life."

New Zealand restricts tourism to protect environment in post-Covid world

Greece will be opening its borders for international tourists from June 15, as the country ended its lockdown in May to regain stability in the crippling economy.

However, the government has decided to conduct coronavirus tests for visitors arriving from high-risk areas of the European Union (EU). The tests will be specifically for the airports which have been categorized as 'high-risk' by the European Union's Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/border-closures-pre-travel-tests-largely-ineffective-against-covid-19-spread-eu-health-agency-301331">Also read:&nbsp;Border closures, pre-travel tests largely ineffective against COVID-19 spread: EU health agency</a>

"If you originate from an airport on the EASA affected area list, then you will be tested upon arrival," the ministry of foreign affairs said in an announcement.

"If the test is negative, then the passenger self-quarantines for 7 days. If the test is positive, the passenger is quarantined under supervision for 14 days,"&nbsp; ministry added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-to-resume-international-travel-from-july-01-no-screening-to-be-done-300051">Also read:&nbsp;Greece to resume international travel from July 01; no screening to be done</a>

EASA has issued a list of high-risk airports, including&nbsp;13 in the United Kingdom, all 22 in the US and in the Ile de France region surrounding Paris; the list is regularly updated.

Greece issued a list of 29 'safe' countries, whose visitors will not be compulsorily tested on arrival. However, the government has mentioned that the visitors can be randomly tested for coronavirus during their stay in the country.

The country relied heavily on tourism, and has faced a steep decline in the economy as the tourism halted due to the pandemic.&nbsp;Greece's economy is seen contracting by up to 10% this year.

Greece will be opening its borders for international tourists from June 15, as the country ended its lockdown in May to regain stability in the crippling economy.

Greece will be opening its borders for international tourists from June 15, as the country ended its lockdown in May to regain stability in the crippling economy. However, the government has decided to conduct coronavirus tests for visitors arriving from high-risk areas of the European Union (EU). The tests will be specifically for the airports which have been categorized as 'high-risk' by the European Union's Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Also read: Border closures, pre-travel tests largely ineffective against COVID-19 spread: EU health agency "If you originate from an airport on the EASA affected area list, then you will be tested upon arrival," the ministry of foreign affairs said in an announcement. "If the test is negative, then the passenger self-quarantines for 7 days. If the test is positive, the passenger is quarantined under supervision for 14 days," ministry added. Also read: Greece to resume international travel from July 01; no screening to be done EASA has issued a list of high-risk airports, including 13 in the United Kingdom, all 22 in the US and in the Ile de France region surrounding Paris; the list is regularly updated. Greece issued a list of 29 'safe' countries, whose visitors will not be compulsorily tested on arrival. However, the government has mentioned that the visitors can be randomly tested for coronavirus during their stay in the country. The country relied heavily on tourism, and has faced a steep decline in the economy as the tourism halted due to the pandemic. Greece's economy is seen contracting by up to 10% this year.

Greece will test visitors from high-risk EU airports for COVID-19

Sri Lanka has revealed its plans to revive the&nbsp;tourism sector in mid-June by allowing small groups of visitors, as per a local newspaper's report that quoted a senior tourism ministry official as saying.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pakistan-investigators-to-start-decoding-black-box-of-crashed-craft-from-june-02-in-france-302136" hreflang="en">Pakistan: Investigators to start decoding black box of crashed craft from June 02 in France</a>

According to a report in the Sunday Times, Tourism Ministry Secretary S&nbsp;Hettiaarachchi said that small groups that will consist of people of other countries will be allowed to visit Sri Lanka and stay in approved five-star hotels that follow coronavirus guidelines strictly.&nbsp;

He said: “The tourists will be required to carry a COVID-19-free certificate issued either by their governments or a reputed agency." If the plan gets approved, &nbsp;Bandaranaike International Airport and Mattala International Airport will partially reopen after being shut due to virus restrictions. The Secretary also added that these tourists will have to wait at the airport on arrival for coronavirus testing.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/new-nepal-map-constitutional-amendment-placed-in-lower-house-of-nepali-parliament-302108" hreflang="en">New Nepal map constitutional amendment placed in Lower house of Nepali Parliament</a>

According to the report, individual travellers will not be allowed in the country as of now and the number of people in one group has not yet been decided by the government.&nbsp;

“The tourists will not be allowed to get off buses midway (between journeys) and will be able only to visit selected destinations where they could avoid crowds,” Hettiaarachchi said.

Among Sri Lanka's tourist spots, Yala national park, Udawalawe, Arugam Bay, Trincomalee and selected beach areas would be among those open for the tourists.&nbsp;

Lanka's tourism sector has a great impact on the nation's GDP as it constitutes 11 per cent of it. Sri Lanka hosts more than 2 million tourists every year. Due to the coronavirus, the tourism sector has faced massive losses.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka reported another 20 cases of the virus on Saturday, taking the total number of cases so far to 1,613, including 10 deaths.

Sri Lanka has revealed its plans to revive the tourism sector in mid-June by allowing small groups of visitors, as per a local newspaper's report that quoted a senior tourism ministry official as saying.

Sri Lanka has revealed its plans to revive the tourism sector in mid-June by allowing small groups of visitors, as per a local newspaper's report that quoted a senior tourism ministry official as saying. Also read: Pakistan: Investigators to start decoding black box of crashed craft from June 02 in France According to a report in the Sunday Times, Tourism Ministry Secretary S Hettiaarachchi said that small groups that will consist of people of other countries will be allowed to visit Sri Lanka and stay in approved five-star hotels that follow coronavirus guidelines strictly. He said: “The tourists will be required to carry a COVID-19-free certificate issued either by their governments or a reputed agency." If the plan gets approved, Bandaranaike International Airport and Mattala International Airport will partially reopen after being shut due to virus restrictions. The Secretary also added that these tourists will have to wait at the airport on arrival for coronavirus testing. Also read: New Nepal map constitutional amendment placed in Lower house of Nepali Parliament According to the report, individual travellers will not be allowed in the country as of now and the number of people in one group has not yet been decided by the government. “The tourists will not be allowed to get off buses midway (between journeys) and will be able only to visit selected destinations where they could avoid crowds,” Hettiaarachchi said. Among Sri Lanka's tourist spots, Yala national park, Udawalawe, Arugam Bay, Trincomalee and selected beach areas would be among those open for the tourists. Lanka's tourism sector has a great impact on the nation's GDP as it constitutes 11 per cent of it. Sri Lanka hosts more than 2 million tourists every year. Due to the coronavirus, the tourism sector has faced massive losses. Sri Lanka reported another 20 cases of the virus on Saturday, taking the total number of cases so far to 1,613, including 10 deaths.

Sri Lanka to partially resume tourism by mid-June: Reports

Spain, one of the worst hit countries by coronavirus, saw one of the strictest lockdowns. However, now Spain is easing the lockdown now.&nbsp;

Considering the same, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, on Saturday announced that Spain will be resuming tourism from July.

"From July, foreign tourism will resume in safe conditions. We will guarantee tourists will not take any risks and will not bring us any risks," Sanchez said in a video news conference. He did not provide any further details on this, though.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/honking-cars-and-motorbikes-take-over-spanish-streets-protesting-against-the-government-300623#protestors-gathered-in-cars-and-motorbikes-300606">Have a look:&nbsp;Honking cars and motorbikes take over Spanish streets protesting against the government</a>

The tourism industry contributes a huge chunk to the country's revenue. The closure of the beaches and tourism has affected the economy in a negative way, and has also crippled the tourism businesses.

Bank of Spain predicted that almost a million people have lost their jobs in the past few months during the lockdown, and have also predicted that the economy will contract by up to 12 per cent this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-jumps-to-no-2-in-worldwide-coronavirus-cases-behind-the-us-300497">Also read:&nbsp;Brazil jumps to No. 2 in worldwide coronavirus cases, behind the US</a>

The Spanish PM Sanchez also announced that another national money-spinner, top flight La Liga soccer, will be resuming on June 8.&nbsp;

The announcement has come at a critical point in Spanish political scenario, as the opposition far-right part, Vox, staged a protest against the government's handling of coronavirus outbreak. The protestors accused the government of poor crisis management and blamed the government of bringing the economy to a major downfall. The protestors demanded government's resignation.

Spain, one of the worst hit countries by coronavirus, saw one of the strictest lockdowns. However, now Spain is easing the lockdown now. Considering the same, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, on Saturday announced that Spain will be resuming tourism from July.

Spain, one of the worst hit countries by coronavirus, saw one of the strictest lockdowns. However, now Spain is easing the lockdown now. Considering the same, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, on Saturday announced that Spain will be resuming tourism from July. "From July, foreign tourism will resume in safe conditions. We will guarantee tourists will not take any risks and will not bring us any risks," Sanchez said in a video news conference. He did not provide any further details on this, though. Have a look: Honking cars and motorbikes take over Spanish streets protesting against the government The tourism industry contributes a huge chunk to the country's revenue. The closure of the beaches and tourism has affected the economy in a negative way, and has also crippled the tourism businesses. Bank of Spain predicted that almost a million people have lost their jobs in the past few months during the lockdown, and have also predicted that the economy will contract by up to 12 per cent this year. Also read: Brazil jumps to No. 2 in worldwide coronavirus cases, behind the US The Spanish PM Sanchez also announced that another national money-spinner, top flight La Liga soccer, will be resuming on June 8. The announcement has come at a critical point in Spanish political scenario, as the opposition far-right part, Vox, staged a protest against the government's handling of coronavirus outbreak. The protestors accused the government of poor crisis management and blamed the government of bringing the economy to a major downfall. The protestors demanded government's resignation.

COVID 19: Spain plans to open tourism from July to save economy

What's the importance of tourism to the world's economy? Know in this video...

Governments focusing on tourism for economic revival