June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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As the world continues to open post-pandemic, nations are debuting clever strategies to attract international tourists and workers, in a bid to rebuild lost revenue. From remote work incentives to pledges to invest the dollars tourists spend into green initiatives; here’s how countries are increasing tourism and how you can take part.
If you’re a freelancer or have other employment that simply requires an internet connection to be on the clock, and you want get out of the U.S. for a year, check out Spain’s newly announced digital nomad visa. The Mediterranean country is joining many other European nations in offering a digital nomad work visa to remote workers from non-EU states, who work for foreign companies. Portugal also announced a two-year renewable visa scheme for remote workers this year.
The visa will first be valid for a year, renewable for up to five years, and permit spouses and children to join the applicant. Like many other nations that have adopted digital nomad visas, Spain requires applicants to prove they are financially capable of living in the country. The advantage of the visa is that it allows remote workers to get over the hurdle of not being able to apply for a traditional work visa, which in many cases requires a contract with a local entity or an invitation letter. Additionally, digital nomad visas allow remote workers to stay in the country for longer than a tourist visa allows. Get ready to soak up the Ibiza sun while making money!
** If you’re envisioning your temporary home in Spain as a jumping-off point for year-long travels throughout Europe, it’s a good idea to have annual travel insurance coverage. Multi-trip, annual insurance plans by Allianz Global Assistance protect a year’s worth of excursions for one fee, which is perfect for frequent travelers. Choose from multiple plans for a range of budgets, that can include coverage for certain expenses related to trip cancellation and interruption, medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage, rental car damage, and more. In fact, anytime you venture overseas you should put purchasing a travel insurance policy at the top of your to-do list, as there may be limits to what your domestic health insurance will cover overseas.
Known nationally as Druk Yul, or “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” the Kingdom of Bhutan is a secluded paradise in the Himalayas, nestled between India and Tibet. Roughly half the size of the state of South Carolina, Bhutan is a quiet and traditional, Buddhist nation that attracts visitors with its unique way of life and natural beauty. Treks on cliff-hugging trails that lead to sacred and architecturally astounding temples are one of Bhutan’s main draws. When the world shut down and countries closed their borders in response to the pandemic, Bhutan’s government used the time to majorly overhaul its tourism industry to better cater to guests.
Several of the large-scale improvements include upgrading roads, trails, temples and monuments, and public bathrooms. The tourism ministry also upgraded standards and certification processes for hotels, guides, tour operators, drivers, and other hospitality workers. And employees within the tourism industry were required to attend training geared at improving service quality. Bhutan also lifted a longstanding, pre-pandemic requirement for all tourists entering the country to be part of guided tours. And to preserve the visitor experience, Bhutan also limits the number of vehicles on its roads and daily visits to sacred sites, creating a feeling of exclusivity.
Keep in mind that quality doesn’t come without a price. Ahead of reopening to tourists in September, Bhutan raised its Sustainable Development Fee – a tax on international travelers – from $65 to $200 a day. But when considering per dollar value for both visitors and the Bhutanese, the cost of entry surpasses its monetary worth.
Funding from the fee is devoted to providing free healthcare and education, youth opportunities, infrastructure improvements, electrifying the transportation sector, tree planting to reduce the carbon footprint of tourists, and more initiatives. The fee will also help maintain the investments Bhutan has made in upskilling its workers and maintaining its popular trail systems. It’s all part of the multi-sector growth and development project promoted under the moniker “Brand Bhutan,” that aims to improve the skills and economic competitiveness of Bhutan’s population.
If you’re a discerning traveler seeking a transcendent experience that you’re willing to put your money behind preserving for other visitors and your gracious hosts, a visit to Bhutan should be in your future.
The “Lion City” has long been a hub for international business and leisure travel. Post-pandemic tourism in Singapore has steadily rebounded, with an estimated 4 and 6 million visitors expected by the end of the year. While business is generally first on the list for visitors, Singapore is a worthy destination for play and relaxation.
Bleisure travel, or traveling with a mix of business and leisure pursuits in mind, is a substantial draw for the Southeast Asian city-state. In the first three months of this year alone, Singapore hosted more than 150 events in the realm of meetings, exhibitions and conferences, with over 37,000 attendees. Sustainably-minded bleisure travelers in Singapore, who wish to reduce their carbon footprint, should take advantage of the new Singapore MICE Advantage Programme. The initiative offers green travel initiatives to event and meeting attendees, such as environmentally conscious tours and discounted public transport.
Singapore has been quietly refreshing its tourism sector during the pandemic, adding several new attractions and improvements to well-known mainstays. Skyhelix Sentosa, opened December 2021, is a lofty, open-air panoramic ride. Have a drink while the ride slowly rotates, as you take in views of Singapore’s enchanting skyline. At the Museum of Ice cream, opened August 2021, you can swim in a gargantuan pool filled with sprinkles, and learn about ice cream through off-the-wall, interactive exhibits. And of course, you’ll get to eat plenty of the sweet treat!
Pre-Covid, 19 percent of international visitors to New Zealand came because they saw its beautiful landscapes in “The Lord of the Rings” films. Known for astounding biodiversity, the nation is home to breathtaking beaches and fjords, towering waterfalls, active volcanoes, deep caverns and glacier lakes, verdant valleys, and snowy peaks.
New Zealand lifted its remaining COVID-19 restrictions in September, and now the home of Hobbiton and The Shire wants you back. In a bid to increase tourism, New Zealand’s tourism board launched its “If You Seek” campaign, which pushes visitors to pursue ecotourism experiences, promoted by travel-related themes. For example, a recommended trip to the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve embodies “Peace and Relaxation,” while ascending the world’s highest cable waterfall climb in Wanaka suggests “Personal Growth and Challenge.”
And it’s now easier than ever to get to New Zealand from the U.S. Air New Zealand recently launched flights from New York JFK to Auckland. And before the end of the year, American Airlines plans to begin flying between Dallas-Fort Worth and Auckland.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your flight soon and seek an epic quest in New Zealand, or another nation innovatively re-welcoming travelers.
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