The past two years have been rough for Nico Black, general manager of the Ace Hotel in Kyoto, who initially expected as many as 70 percent of guests to be from overseas. He put a vinyl record in his private dining room, sat on the sofa, and said, “We’re opening between two states of emergency. We’ve never had the experience of opening a hotel in the middle of a pandemic before. But I think this It may have been a blessing in disguise. If we had opened without the pandemic, we would not have had the opportunity to develop such deep connections with the local community and the domestic market. We have been completely focused on them for two years.”
Japan’s reopening is likely to be widely welcomed in Kyoto. After complaints of overtourism in the years before the pandemic, the former ancient capital was hit hard by widespread business closures – even warnings that the city will go bankrupt unless circumstances change. “
After 8pm, most of the city is still quiet,” adds Nico. “I think the people who survived in Kyoto are people who don’t rely on tourism. Most are eager for tourists to come back. Businesses here have suffered a lot. ”
However, rural areas across Japan are more cautious. With lingering concerns about the coronavirus, many older people are apparently not too keen on tourists. (Justifying this caution is the fact that countless Japanese friends of mine have avoided returning home to visit their parents over the past few years due to similar concerns.)
“Many people are concerned that overseas tourists could bring the coronavirus to their communities and cause outbreaks there,” Maeda said.
Then there’s the trending topic of masks, which for the past two years has seen nearly everyone on the archipelago, from toddlers to grandmothers, wear them automatically in public. “It’s a cultural issue, but I’m sure overseas tourists will be surprised to find out that they’re being asked to wear masks like the Japanese, and if forced to do so, they might feel offended,” Maeda added.
Still, it’s clear that Japan’s modern quarantine period has to end at some point — especially for those who have been patiently waiting at the border for the past two years, and that time hasn’t come fast enough. As InsideJapan PR Manager James Mundy said: “Personally, I haven’t been to Japan since the Rugby World Cup in October 2019 – the longest I’ve been away since I first moved to Japan in 1999. I I’m looking forward to some great sushi, great public transportation, and the best hospitality and service in the world. I can’t wait to be in a place that sounds and looks so different from home, yet feels like home.”
Five Asian destinations now offer a warmer welcome
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Vietnam
On May 15, Vietnam became the first major tourist destination in Asia to lift all travel restrictions, with or without vaccinations. This applies to those arriving by air – those crossing its land borders must still be tested for Covid. Audley offers 17-day Vietnam family adventure itineraries, including time in Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, from £4395 per person (audleytravel.com; 01993 460 635).
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Thailand
Adults who are vaccinated are not required to take the test, but must purchase a Covid insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $10,000 to secure their Thailand passport, allowing entry into the country. Children can be added to the parent’s pass and do not need to be vaccinated or tested. Those who were not poked can visit, but must also show evidence of a negative PCR test conducted within the past 72 hours. Tui offers package holidays to Thailand, including flights, from £775 per person (tui.co.uk; 0203 451 2688).
India
All arrivals must complete a form using the online “Air Suvidha” portal prior to travel, only unvaccinated arrivals are also required to upload evidence of a recent negative PCR test (72 hours). G Adventures (gadventures.com; 0207 313 6936) Essential India itinerary featuring stunning cities such as Delhi, Rajasthan, Taj Mahal and Varanasi from £863 per person (excluding flights).
Cambodia
While unvaccinated Britons must quarantine for at least a week after arriving in Cambodia, there are no restrictions on tourists who have been stabbed or children under 18. Exodus (exodus.co.uk; 020 3733 5788) starts from £1,549 pp (excluding flights) for a 13-day Cambodia expedition that includes the tropical island of Koh Rong, the bustling capital Phnom Penh and the ancient temples of Angkor.
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Indonesia
Of the five destinations on our list, Indonesia is the toughest, requiring all arrivals over the age of 5 to provide evidence of vaccination and a recent negative PCR test (48 hours) to avoid quarantine. They must also install the Peduli Lindungi mobile app for proof of vaccination and purchase health insurance with Covid coverage. Virgin Holidays (virginholidays.co.uk; 0344 472 9646) offers package deals in Bali from £1257 per person including flights.
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