the essentials The French are already thinking about their summer holidays. But with the Covid and the various conflicts raging on, where to go? Which countries are not recommended? La Dépêche du Midi takes stock.
“The French really want to go on vacation this summer,” Jean-Pierre Mas, president of Les Entreprises du Voyage, tells us immediately. They just wait a little longer to make a decision, even if it means they risk paying a little more.’ A relative expectation: July and August departures are down 5 compared to the same period in 2019 % down.
As every year, the Mediterranean basin will be the French’s favorite summer destination. In first place we find Spain, which has even overtaken France through our intermediaries. Then come Greece and Tunisia. And in fifth place we find a long-haul destination, the Dominican Republic.
Avoid Eastern Europe
In Europe, almost all countries are currently green regarding the spread of Covid-19. The Foreign Ministry, for its part, classifies them as safe. Except for Ukraine, where it is obviously not advisable to go there because of the conflict that has been going on there for more than a month. Just like Belarus, which is not only Moscow’s ally in the war in Ukraine, but is also experiencing an active spread of the coronavirus. “We avoid all of Eastern Europe, that is, the countries bordering Russia, from the Baltic States to Poland,” confirms Jean-Pierre Mas.
In North Africa, only Morocco is considered safe by France Diplomatie. In addition, the Covid-19 circulates little there. However, the country is suffering from its very restrictive policies during the health crisis. Morocco is far from returning to pre-crisis demand levels. They closed their borders for a long time. Tunisia is placed on heightened vigilance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but Covid is classified at a green level. From the north of Algeria is absolutely not advisable, as well as from the west of Egypt. As for the rest of Africa, countries like Niger, Mali or Somalia are officially discouraged.
In the Middle East, it is advisable not to travel to countries such as Syria or Iraq. The United Arab Emirates are on normal vigilance.
France diplomacy
The borders with Japan and China remain closed
On the other side of the Atlantic, the United States and Canada are classified as safe countries by France Diplomatie. With moderate spread of Covid-19. For its part, Australia is classified in orange due to the active spread of the virus. Borders with New Zealand, which has a zero-Covid policy, are still closed, but the country plans to gradually reopen them.
In South America, the sanitary situation is currently rather favourable. On the other hand, at the security level, the target is risky, except in Argentina and Uruguay. But Brazil, Bolivia or Chile are subject to increased vigilance from the Foreign Ministry. And a whole part of Mexico, like Colombia, is completely discouraged.
In Asia, “the borders of Japan and China are still closed for health reasons,” recalled Jean-Pierre Mas. A large part of the countries of Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, are very difficult to start again.
Ministry of the Interior