In 2022, amid the full-scale war unleashed by Russia, 270 thousand domestic and international tourists visited the capital of Ukraine, which is 11.5 times less than in 2021, with 3.12 million tourists, the Tourism and Promotion Department of the Kyiv City State Administration reported during a report to the Public Council.
According to the department’s Facebook page, 98 thousand foreign tourists visited Kyiv in 2022, which is 10.4 times less than in the post-pandemic year of 2021, when 1.02 million travelers from abroad visited the Ukrainian capital.
At the same time, 172 thousand domestic tourists visited Kyiv last year, compared to 2.1 million in 2021. The leaders among the countries of the world in terms of the number of visitors to the Ukrainian capital in 2022 were Israel – 9.1 thousand tourists (against 105.1 thousand a year earlier), Turkey – 6.8 thousand (69.5 thousand), Germany – 6.4 thousand (71.7 thousand), the United States – 5.6 thousand (75.5 thousand) and the United Kingdom – 4.3 thousand (35 thousand). In 2021, Saudi Arabia was in the top five instead of the UK (46.9 thousand).
With the tourist flow falling by more than 10 times, revenues from the tourist tax fell by only half – to UAH 38.8 million from UAH 76 million a year earlier.
The report explains that the capital’s relatively successful tourist tax performance in 2022 was mainly due to visits by foreign delegations and media representatives who visited our city for work.
Fiji authorities have lifted all anti-covids requirements for visitors to the archipelago: it is no longer necessary to provide a certificate of vaccination and buy travel insurance with COVID 19 treatment coverage, FBC News reports.
“According to the country’s Ministry of Health, hospitalizations with COVID 19 are now very low thanks to immunization of the population. 100% of adults in Fiji have received one dose of the vaccine and 95% have received two doses. As in other countries with high vaccination rates, Fiji removes all anticovid restrictions for incoming travelers,” the publication writes.
According to the portal, border authorities will continue to monitor the condition of citizens in order to prevent the reintroduction of the coronavirus.
According to the country’s authorities, the recovery of Fiji’s economy after the pandemic coronavirus continues due to strong growth in tourism. For example, tourist arrivals to the archipelago last year totaled 636,300, a 71.1 percent increase over 2019 figures.
Hong Kong authorities have decided to cancel the requirement for a coronavirus vaccination certificate for those arriving in the region, PCR tests are still required, according to the press service of China’s special district government.
“As of Feb. 6, the requirement for full vaccination for nonresidents of Hong Kong arriving from abroad is removed. Travelers do not need to be vaccinated and present a certificate of vaccination upon arrival in Hong Kong. Mandatory testing for coronavirus for those arriving from abroad remains in place,” the report said.
According to the government, the epidemic situation in Hong Kong remains stable despite an increase in the number of visitors.
The Qatari authorities have updated the rules of entry for foreign tourists – from February 1, 2023, travelers will have to show local medical insurance to enter the country.
“According to information, from February 1, 2023, all tourists coming to Qatar must have a health insurance policy issued by health insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Health of Qatar (MOPH Qatar). The insurance is issued for 30 days, regardless of the duration of the vacation, its cost is 50 Qatari rials. It only covers emergency services and accidents,” the statement said.
“Host companies recommend purchasing insurance in advance to avoid delays upon arrival in Qatar. It is reported that tourists can buy the necessary insurance online (on the website of the Qatar Ministry of Health). Insurance can also be purchased upon arrival at Hamad International Airport in Doha,” the statement said.
Thai authorities will not impose a vaccination certificate requirement for foreign tourists to enter the country, announced January 7, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Monday.
The certificate requirement was supposed to take effect Monday and remain in effect until at least the end of January. However, Charnvirakul told reporters that proof of vaccination would not be required because all countries in the world sufficiently immunize their citizens. Under the new government decision, unvaccinated tourists will be able to enter Thailand without restrictions.
Thailand’s civil aviation authority said Saturday that starting Monday, Jan. 9, all arriving foreigners will have to prove they have been vaccinated or have had coronavirus within the past six months. This announcement was made on the eve of the opening of the borders by China, which since Jan. 8 has abolished PCR tests and quarantine for those entering.
Chinese authorities on Sunday began lifting border crossing restrictions in China that have been in place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bloomberg reported.
So, starting Jan. 8, individuals arriving in China will no longer need to go into quarantine after arriving in the country. However, 48 hours before arrival they will be required to obtain a negative test result for COVID-19 and present it to the PRC.
On Sunday, Chinese authorities also began issuing ordinary visas and temporary residence permits to foreigners. At the same time, residents of mainland China can again obtain passports and tourist visas.
However, according to the Associated Press, only a very limited resumption of China’s international air traffic can be expected for the time being.
Also on Sunday, authorities resumed passenger service on land and sea routes between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong special administrative region. Travelers, however, will need negative COVID-19 tests 48 hours before travel. The government has also imposed restrictions on the daily number of people who can travel between mainland China and Hong Kong.
The lifting of many travel restrictions came into effect after China began its annual 40-day travel period the previous day to coincide with the Lunar New Year, which this time falls on January 22, 2023. At this time, China is experiencing the world’s largest annual migration of its population, as they disperse to their homelands or travel around the country with relatives.
Since 2020, China has had a “zero tolerance” policy for COVID-19, which has meant applying measures such as lockdowns and mandatory quarantine for those who come into contact with infected people. At the same time, the Chinese economy was showing the lowest growth rate in almost fifty years. But in December, Chinese authorities lifted a series of restrictions adopted to contain the spread of the virus, causing a spike in illnesses and deaths.
The United States, the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia, Germany and Sweden announced some restrictive measures against travelers from China amid the COVID-19 wave. In particular, they decided to require all persons arriving from the PRC to present a negative test for COVID-19.
According to Worldometers, a portal that specializes in statistics on major world events, China has diagnosed approximately 482,000 cases of the coronavirus and 5,200 deaths from the effects of infection throughout the pandemic.
