Europe No. 1 Holiday spot for US Travelers Since Covid-19 but where can Brits go on holiday?
🧳SPECIAL TRAVEL REPORT
For the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, more US travellers are heading to Europe than any other destination. But depending on individual US state COVID regulations, British travellers and their fellow Europeans may not be as welcomed to US borders. Plus the latest green list countries and quarantine rules for those travelling from the UK, The Freelance Informer reports.
May marked the first month Europe regained its spot as the top destination for US tourists, with 22% of bookings, according to travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth.com. By June, this rose to nearly 30%, the highest percentage of sales in 13 months. This is great news for those working in the holiday industry, especially holiday rentals.
While travellers are booking trips to Europe now, most don’t plan to travel until 2022. Squaremouth reports as many as 54% of travellers are heading to Europe next summer, the highest percentage they’ve ever recorded.
Historically, US travel to Europe far outweighed any other destination. As much as 46% of sales on Squaremouth.com have been for European travel. At the height of the pandemic, this dropped to less than 6%.
Ongoing border closures and quarantine requirements have sent US travellers to countries easier to visit, or kept them stateside. Former popular destinations, like Spain, France, Italy and the UK, fell to Caribbean countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Turks and Caicos, and the Virgin Islands. But that looks to change in 2022.
Top 10 International Destinations for US tourists
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Mexico | Mexico | Italy |
| Turks and Caicos | Canada | Canada |
| Costa Rica | United Kingdom | Mexico |
| Israel | Bahamas | France |
| Greece | US Virgin Islands | United Kingdom |
| Italy | Australia | Spain |
| France | Jamaica | Germany |
| Iceland | Germany | Israel |
| Spain | Aruba | Japan |
| Germany | Israel | Ireland |
*listed by popularity per year
Travel from the UK to the US: what’s allowed?
As of 15 July, the FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to the US, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks.
The FCDO, however, advises against all but essential travel to American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico. However, the FCDO is not advising against all but essential travel to the whole of the US, including the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands.
Therefore, travel restrictions still remain in place for travel from the United Kingdom to the United States. Please read the Presidential Proclamation and read the FAQs to see if you are able to travel at this time.
In one instance, a British man living in Europe with his children and American wife had to bring additional proof for entry when travelling to the US this month, including marriage certificates and proof of COVID vaccination and recent negative COVID tests.
US child citizens living overseas but travelling back to the US this summer may be eligible for free COVID vaccinations. Vaccines are widely available for everyone 12 years and older at no cost, according to the CDC. Learn more about getting a vaccine in the US here. Walgreens, the US pharmacy chain is travelling the country with free mobile COVID vaccination drives.
- If you are planning on travelling to the United States, it is important that you check quarantine regulations for the state you are visiting before you depart. You can find the most up-to-date information on the CDC website and a state’s health department website.
- Please note you will still be required to quarantine as required by CDC and local guidelines even if you are an automatic exception to the current Presidential Proclamations or have received a national interest exception in order to travel directly to the United States. You will also be required to take a COVID-19 test.
- US citizens residing in the United Kingdom are subject to the UK government’s regulations. You should not travel abroad unless it is permitted under the rules at the time to travel.
The green list: Where you can travel from the UK without needing to quarantine on your return
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Madeira
- Malta
- Gibraltar
- Iceland
Source: Wanderlust. PLEASE NOTE: This information is correct as of 8 am on 15 July and applies to changes from 4 am on 19 July
If you want to travel now, then the Turks and Caicos are open for holiday travellers.
Turks and Caicos Islands One of the Most Inoculated Countries in the World. Photo Source: Turks and Caicos Tourism
The video below explains which tests and forms you will need to complete before your arrival. Plus some nice video shots of what the islands have to offer.