Summer travel plans are facing turbulence as the UK’s latest traffic-light system changes draw sharp criticism from the tourism sector. Only Bulgaria and Hong Kong (a region of China) were added to the green list—but here’s the twist: UK travelers still can’t enter Hong Kong due to Delta variant concerns. 🚷
Amber Alert for Popular Destinations
Ibiza, Majorca, and Menorca (Balearic Islands) are moving back to the amber list starting July 19, requiring 10 days of self-isolation for unvaccinated travelers. Meanwhile, Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Sierra Leone turn red—effectively closing vacation routes. 🌋
‘Fluid Rules’ Fuel Frustration
Virginia Messina of the World Travel and Tourism Council warns: \"Constantly changing rules are killing consumer confidence.\" With over 42,000 daily UK COVID cases and predictions of 100,000 by summer’s end, the industry fears prolonged uncertainty. 💼
Vaccine Passport Perk
From July 19, fully vaccinated travelers from amber-list regions (like Spain, Italy, Greece) won’t need to quarantine. But as Messina notes: \"It’s a fight for survival.\" Over 62 million tourism jobs vanished globally in 2020—and recovery remains shaky. ⚖️
