The latest research into our international markets and how COVID-19 is impacting plans to visit Scotland
Explore below feedback from our international marketing teams and insight from the latest social listening.
In this section:
Latest update:
Travel guidance is changing frequently. For the latest update on travelling to Scotland, please visit the Scottish Government website.
Market intelligence update: Europe
The latest marketing insights from Europe gathered by our VisitScotland marketing teams.
France is not currently on the UK’s red list.
Health and recovery of market
France’s state of health emergency which provided the legal basis for measures taken to contain the spread of new infections has been replaced by a transitory legal state effective until 31 July 2022.
French authorities are closely monitoring levels of new infection rates. All non-essential businesses are currently open, most COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, except for prevention protocols remaining in place in some indoor and outdoor public spaces.
A COVID-19 digital pass, or ‘health passport’, is required to access cultural and entertainment venues. It is also mandatory to enter bars, restaurants, hospitals, shopping centres and for travelling by trains, on domestic flights, and on long-distance coach journeys. The requirement for a health pass to access most public spaces is likely to be extended until summer 2022. Vaccination is also compulsory for all health workers and people working in contact with people at high risk of infection. The COVID-19 pass validity will be subject to the addition of a booster dose from 15 December for over 65 and from 15 January 2022 for all over 18s. The booster vaccination campaign began in September. Since November 2021, it is open to all over 18s and the gap between last jab and booster has been reduced to five months.
France has opened its vaccination programme to all adults and 12-17 year olds in an attempt to prevent another wave of infections from new COVID-19 variants. The COVID-19 digital pass is also compulsory for 12-17 year olds.
Quarantine and other travel restrictions
The UK’s traffic light system has changed. There are no longer green and amber lists, the only list remaining is the red list. Quarantine rules and requirements for entering Scotland depend on whether the country or area a traveller comes from, or has been in the 10 days prior to arrival, is on the red list. More information about the new simplified system can be found on the Scottish Government website.
France is not currently on the UK’s red list.
From 4am on Tuesday 7 December, all visitors need to be able to provide proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test. They need to have taken this test in the 48 hours before arrival in Scotland.
Fully vaccinated travellers have to complete a passenger locator form, as well as book and pay for a PCR test to be completed within two days of arriving in Scotland. Visitors must self-isolate in their home or the place they are staying until they receive their test result.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in Scotland. They have to complete a passenger locator form and take a COVID-19 test before departure, as well as book and pay for two PCR tests: One to be completed within two days of arriving in Scotland, the other one on or after day eight of their self-isolation.
Entry requirements for returning travellers into France depend on the health situation in the country of departure and the vaccination status of travellers. The UK is currently classed as amber. Travellers and returning residents from the UK who are not fully vaccinated must show a negative PCR or antigen test taken 24 hours prior to entering France. Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from quarantine requirements and no longer have to present a test in order to enter France regardless of their country of origin. Since 13 November, France has tightened its entry conditions for unvaccinated travellers from several Europeans countries due to the rise in COVID-19 infections.
Aviation
Please note that airline and ferry schedules remain subject to change and amendments. For an overview of European airline carriers with direct routes into Scotland and ferry operators with crossings between France and South England, please refer to our overseas travel pages. We advise visitors to check latest connectivity, fares and safety measures directly with the transport providers.
Intermediary insights and horizon scanning
Enquiries from French tour operators are largely focusing on Scotland’s industry re-opening and health and safety measures.
Some 2021/22 winter programmes were scheduled to resume, but newly reintroduced UK entry requirements can be expected to be a barrier for travel, e.g. PCR testing before departure and testing on day two, which is not in place in other European destinations. Most operators are now looking at 2022 for recovery. Demand for Scotland is looking strong however travel requirements such as COVID testing on arrival for fully vaccinated people is still holding visitors back to convert demand into booking.
Flexible terms and conditions, clear health and safety measures in place and reassurance message will be key for market recovery and French visitors’ return to Scotland. Shorter booking windows and last-minute bookings are to be expected with FIT visitors keen to travel as soon as it is possible.
Current product/travel trends in market are responsible tourism products, slow travel, nature-based and agritourism activities, hidden gems and off the beaten track destinations. Travel intentions are showing a strong interest for cities and touring holidays in Scotland.
For more insights into the French market see our visitors from France page.
Germany is currently not on the UK’s red list. There is still a conditional travel warning in place for travel from Germany to the UK.
Health and recovery of market
German authorities are closely monitoring the country’s R- and incidence rates, as well as hospitalisation rates. Infection numbers have gone up significantly in the last couple of months, and are now on the highest level they have been during the whole pandemic. The R-rate has been above 1 since the beginning of July.
Maximum group sizes and curfews no longer apply to fully vaccinated or recovered persons, but measures for unvaccinated persons are being implemented on state level. To take part in public life, to enter restaurants, hospitals, indoor sporting facilities or to visit events as well as to board public transport, a COVID-19 certificate is necessary, proving full vaccination or recovered status. In some federal states, a recent negative test result is also accepted for the same privileges.
The German vaccination programme is well underway and has been made available to all adults, as well as teenagers between 12 and 17 years old. A booster programme has also been introduced.
Since 1 July, the European CovPass app is active and makes travel between EU countries easier by enabling German visitors to access proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 as well as negative test results and recovered status.
Quarantine and other travel restrictions
The UK’s traffic light system has changed. There are no longer green and amber lists, the only list remaining is the red list. Quarantine rules and requirements for entering Scotland depend on whether the country or area a traveller comes from, or has been in the 10 days prior to arrival, is on the red list. More information about the new simplified system can be found on the Scottish Government website.
Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein are currently not on the UK’s red list. From 4am on Tuesday 7 December, all visitors need to be able to provide proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test. They need to have taken this test in the 48 hours before arrival in Scotland.
Fully vaccinated travellers still have to complete a passenger locator form as well as book and pay for a PCR test to be completed within two days of arriving in Scotland. Visitors must self-isolate in their home or the place they are staying until they receive their test result.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in Scotland. They have to complete a passenger locator form and take a COVID-19 test before departure, as well as book and pay for two PCR tests: One to be completed within two days of arriving in Scotland, the other one on or after day eight of their self-isolation.
There is still a conditional travel warning in place for travel from Germany to the UK.
Germany uses a two-tier system of risk categories (virus variant areas and high-incidence areas), with distinct rules on entry and quarantine for each tier. Since 7 July, the UK is classed as a high incidence area. Fully vaccinated travellers returning to Germany can use any means of transport without the need to quarantine in Germany. Returning persons not fully vaccinated require a compelling reason for travel or have to be a German citizen or resident. They must also self-isolate for 10 days at arrival. This period can be shortened with a negative test result from day five.
Aviation
Please note that airline schedules remain subject to change and amendments. For an overview of European airline carriers with direct routes into Scotland, please refer to our overseas travel pages. We advise visitors to check latest connectivity, air fares and latest safety measures directly with the airlines.
Ferry operations are still ongoing, giving German visitors the option of travelling to Scotland via seaports in the Netherlands and North England with DFDS Seaways or P&O Ferries.
Intermediary insights and horizon scanning
Enquiries from German tour operators are largely focusing on Scotland’s industry re-opening and health and safety measures.
Some 2021/22 winter programmes were scheduled to resume, but newly reintroduced UK entry requirements can be expected to be a barrier for travel, e.g. PCR testing before departure and testing on day two, which is not in place in other European destinations. Flexible terms and conditions, clear health and safety measures and a strong reassurance message will be key for market recovery.
There is a strong pent-up demand amongst German holidaymakers. Apart from beach holidays, there is a noticeable trend that Germans are looking for responsible and immersive travel, which fits in well with what Scotland has to offer and suggests potential for the coming seasons. It is also expected that the desire for adventure and exploring will come back in 2022, and tour operators expect Scotland to be very popular.
With the fall in incidence numbers across Germany and more and more people being vaccinated, confidence in the country was rising and bookings for domestic and international travel are growing month by month, however, since the numbers have gone over the previous high, people are getting more careful again, avoiding crowds and large social events. We are yet to see how that will impact further bookings for 2022.
For more insights into the German market see our visitors from Germany page.
None of the countries in North Europe are currently on the UK’s red list. There is still conditional travel advice in place for travel from Belgium to the UK.
Health and recovery of market
Authorities in the Benelux and Nordic countries are closely monitoring levels of new infection rates. All North European countries are managing their lockdown separately. Two thirds or more of the population in each nation are fully vaccinated.
The Netherlands became the first western European country to impose a partial lockdown since the summer, introducing strict new measures from Saturday 13 November in the face of record numbers of new COVID-19 infections. The restrictions will remain up until Christmas and include the closure of bars, restaurants and essential shops from 8pm, with non-essential retail and services such as hairdressers to close at 6pm. Gatherings at home are limited to a maximum of four guests, all amateur and professional sporting events must be held behind closed doors, and home working is advised except in “absolutely unavoidable” circumstances. Mask wearing and social distancing have also been re-introduced.
Belgium re-imposed some pandemic measures as coronavirus cases and hospitalisations increased in the country. The government extended mandatory mask-wearing in indoor settings and extended use of the health pass - the COVID safe ticket - to more events. The government will speed up the COVID booster rollout, with teachers given priority. Working from home will be compulsory four days a week until 19 December — as opposed to 12 December. From 20 December, teleworking will be compulsory three days a week. In the hospitality industry, an 11pm curfew will be imposed on restaurants. A maximum of six people will be allowed per table, unless they are members of the same household. Christmas markets will also have to close at 11pm. Public venues such as nightclubs, bars and concert venues where social distancing can't be respected are required to close for the next four weeks from Saturday 27 November until 15 December. Private parties will be prohibited, except for weddings and funerals. A COVID pass will be required for events attended by at least 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors. Supporters won't be allowed in outdoor sports venues, except for parents of children under 18.
While Norway had almost returned to normal life throughout the whole summer, but an increase in cases and warnings of a higher number of infections throughout the winter means Norway is now planning to make vaccination certificates mandatory at venues and big events as nightclubs. However, all venues are open, including museums, shopping centres, amusement parks and more. The country began offering booster jabs to over 65s in October.
Sweden lifted all COVID-19-related restrictions in the country on 29 September, announcing that the pandemic has been brought under full control. After Denmark and Norway, Sweden is the third Scandinavian country to totally abolish coronavirus-related restrictions. Rules such as wearing a mask at airports and on planes where international rules apply, as well as PCR testing, will continue to be enforced. The country started offering the third COVID-19 dose to people with severely weakened immune system in early September, and has since opened it up to more groups.
Denmark was the first EU country to go completely back to pre-pandemic daily life. The country however plans to reintroduce its coronavirus passport in indoor bars, restaurants and nightclubs amid rising case numbers.
Quarantine and other travel restrictions
The UK’s traffic light system has changed. There are no longer green and amber lists, the only list remaining is the red list. Quarantine rules and requirements for entering Scotland depend on whether the country or area a traveller comes from, or has been in the 10 days prior to arrival, is on the red list. More information about the new simplified system can be found on the Scottish government website.
one of the North European countries are currently on the UK’s red list.
From 4am on Tuesday 7 December, all visitors need to be able to provide proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test. They need to have taken this test in the 48 hours before arrival in Scotland.
Fully vaccinated travellers have to complete a passenger locator form, as well as book and pay for a PCR test to be completed within two days of arriving in Scotland. Arriving individuals must self-isolate in their home or the place they are staying until they receive their test result.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days at arrival in Scotland. They have to complete a passenger locator form and take a COVID-19 test before departure, as well as book and pay for two PCR-tests: One to be completed within 2 days of arriving in Scotland, the other one on or after day eight of their self-isolation.
Since 1 July, the European CovPass app is active and makes travel between EU countries easier by enabling visitors to access proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 as well as negative test results and recovered status.
Non-essential travel from Belgium to a foreign country is still strongly discouraged but not forbidden. Travellers who hold a recent rapid antigen test can now travel to Belgium without being subject to additional rules such as self-isolation requirements.
In Sweden, there is an entry ban in place until 31 January for non-essential travel from most countries outside the EU/EEA, including the UK, however, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs does not currently have any travel advice in place for Swedes travelling to the UK so leisure visits are possible. Fully vaccinated Swedes do not have to test or isolate on their return home from the UK.
The UK is currently in Denmark’s orange category which means that Danish citizens travelling to Scotland on holiday do not have to test or quarantine upon return to Denmark, as long as they are fully vaccinated. Travel advice was relaxed on 1 October, meaning fully vaccinated Danes can travel to the majority of other countries. Danish authorities have revealed that unvaccinated and unrecovered travellers reaching the country from EU countries and countries who are members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (including UK), only have to present one COVID-19 test result, taken either before departure or within 24 hours upon arrival. This rule also affects Danish citizens and permanent residents of the country and has been effective since Monday 25 October.
The Netherlands recently removed advice against non-essential travel to the UK.
The Norwegian authorities announced on 1 October that citizens of the country will now be able to travel to other areas, even for tourism purposes. This means that Norwegians are no longer discouraged from travelling to other countries as long as they hold a valid COVID-19 passport and follow their destination country’s entry restrictions and requirements. Norway's COVID-19 travel rules for entry registration and testing have been tightened. From 26 November, everyone is required to register their entry to Norway, regardless of residence, nationality or vaccination status. Previously, fully vaccinated travellers had been exempt from entry registration. Children under 16 won’t need to register. In addition, all travellers who are not fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 and can prove so with a recognised health pass will need to test at the border. Norway is also extending isolation times for those testing positive where there’s reason to believe that the infection is the Omnicron variant. Other household members will be required to quarantine for 10 days and close contacts to those infected must undergo testing under the new measures, which will apply regardless of vaccination status. The requirements will be lifted as soon as it is confirmed the infection isn’t a result of the new variant, which is so far not yet confirmed in the country.
Aviation
Please note that airline schedules remain subject to change and amendments. For an overview of European airline carriers with direct routes into Scotland, please refer to our overseas travel pages. We advise visitors to check latest connectivity, air fares and latest safety measures directly with the airlines.
Ferry operations are still ongoing, giving visitors from the Benelux countries the option of travelling to Scotland via seaports in the Netherlands and North England with DFDS Seaways or P&O Ferries.
Intermediary insights and horizon scanning
Enquiries from North European tour operators are largely focusing on ongoing changes to travel restrictions and testing requirements. While these measures are a barrier to some visitors, demand for Scotland seems strong. Travel confidence had been steadily improving but this may now be hindered by rising infection rates and the introduction of restrictions in some countries.
Some Dutch tour operators are reporting that 70% of their client base already has holiday plans for next year. A trend that can be seen for North Europe is that people are currently less inclined to fly, instead travelling with their own cars is becoming more and more popular. Also, off-season travel is on many tour operators’ radar as it may be more affordable and places of interest will not be as crowded.
The furlough scheme remained in place longer in some Nordic countries, meaning that travel trade contacts only returned to work in autumn 2021. Interest from intermediaries is now growing and they are reporting high demand for Scotland. The Nordics are reportedly one of the fastest recovering markets in terms of travel bookings.
For more insights on the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, see our country specific pages:
None of the countries in South Europe are currently on the UK’s red list. There is no travel advice against travel to the UK for leisure purposes from South Europe.
Health and recovery of market
Authorities in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece are closely monitoring levels of new infection rates. All South European countries are managing their lockdown separately, even region by region within each country, imposing local or regional restrictions when deemed necessary. Vaccination rollout is well underway and infection rates remain low to moderate.
The Spanish government removed the obligation to wear face masks in outdoor spaces on a national level, although regions can still impose this at their discretion. COVID-19 cases are rising, largely affecting young unvaccinated people, and regional governments are trying to implement highly restrictive measures to contain the virus spread, which are often rejected by the courts for limiting citizens freedom, especially curfews.
Spain is currently applying some travel restrictions to visitors to Canary Islands due to the volcano eruption in La Palma island.
Italy is still in state of emergency until 31 December as the government considers the pandemic is not yet under control. All Italian regions are classed as ‘white zones’, meaning they are in the lowest category of restrictions involving only physical distancing and wearing a face mask in public places. The Italian government is no longer focusing only on the infection rate to classify each region by colour but also in the number of hospitalised citizens due to COVID-19, which is currently high in Sicily.
Italy, Greece and Portugal require a COVID-19 certificate proving the vaccination or recovered status for all public indoor venues such as museums, restaurants, clubs, gyms, casinos, private parties and holiday accommodation, the latter only in Portugal. From the 15 October, all Italian employees need to show a COVID-19 certificate proving vaccination or recovered status (European CovPass) or a negative COVID-19 test to be able to work.
In September and October, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal started offering a COVID-19 booster vaccine to vulnerable and key worker groups. Italy is also planning to offer it to everyone aged over 40 from December.
From 1 December, the Portuguese government declared the state of emergency and requested all employees to work from home whenever their functions allow them to. In addition, from 20 November, the autonomous region of Madeira reinstalled the use of face coverings in both open and closed spaces, requests a vaccination certificate or a rapid antigen test to attend public events, visit activities centres (sports centres, gyms, museums, cinemas etc), go to supermarkets and use public services (public transportation, medical centres, postal services etc). Weekly testing was also implemented for the entire population.
Quarantine and other travel restrictions
The UK’s traffic light system has changed. There are no longer green and amber lists, the only list remaining is the red list. Quarantine rules and requirements for entering Scotland depend on whether the country or area a traveller comes from, or has been in the 10 days prior to arrival, is on the red list. More information about the new simplified system can be found on the Scottish government website.
None of the South European countries are currently on the UK’s red list.
From 4am on Tuesday 7 December, all visitors need to be able to provide proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test. They need to have taken this test in the 48 hours before arrival in Scotland.
Fully vaccinated travellers have to complete a passenger locator form, as well as book and pay for a PCR test to be completed within two days of arriving in Scotland. Arriving individuals must self-isolate in their home or the place they are staying until they receive their test result.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days at arrival in Scotland. They have to complete a passenger locator form and take a COVID-19 test before departure, as well as book and pay for two PCR-tests: One to be completed within two days of arriving in Scotland, the other one on or after day 8 of their self-isolation. PCR tests may be booked with any government approved private provider.
Since 1 July, the European CovPass app is active and makes travel between EU countries easier by enabling visitors to access proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 as well as negative test results and recovered status.
From 31 August, Italian travellers who have been in the UK in the previous 14 days need to compile an online passenger locator form and present a negative antigenic or molecular swab test taken within 48 before travelling, but they no longer have to self-isolate on return to Italy. If visitors are returning to Italy within five days, they can use for their Scotland day two test for the return. Children under the age of six do not need to test. Travellers arriving without a negative test will need to self-isolate for 10 days and undertake a test at the end of the isolation period.
Fully vaccinated Spanish travellers do not have to isolate or test on return from abroad.
From 1 December and until 9 January, anyone entering Portugal (including Portuguese nationals and EU citizens) will have to present a negative PCR or lateral from test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival.
From the same date, 1 December, UK visitors who are not EU residents travelling to Spain for non-essential reasons will only be able to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
From 13 December 2021, visitors to Greece who received their second vaccination dose over seven months before travelling and not received a third dose, will have to follow the same rules as Greece will consider their vaccination status as expired. The country also accepts the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination records issued from 1 November.
Aviation
Please note that airline schedules remain subject to change and amendments. For an overview of European airline carriers with direct routes into Scotland, please refer to our overseas travel pages. We advise visitors to check latest connectivity, air fares and latest safety measures directly with the airlines.
Intermediary insights and horizon scanning
New testing requirements imposed by both the English and Scottish government are discouraging visitors from Italy and Spain to visit Scotland as they now need to factor in higher testing costs into their trip as well as two additional days to self-isolate in their accommodation until they receive the negative PCR tests from the laboratory.
Trips that were booked with tour operators for December visits to Scotland are being cancelled.
For more insights on Spain and Italy see our country specific pages:
Market intelligence update: Australia, Canada, China, USA, GCC and India
The latest marketing insights from Australia, Canada, China, the USA, GCC and India gathered from our VisitScotland marketing teams.
Since the vaccine roll-out started in February 2021, more than 78% of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated.
Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can now travel overseas without an exemption. However, only those from New South Wales, Victoria and ACT can return without having to quarantine.
Other states and territories will begin their reopening program at different times given their varying vaccination rates and while there is no target vaccination rate to allow states to reopen, some are waiting until 90% of the population is fully vaccinated. The Government will also work towards completely quarantine-free travel for certain countries, such as New Zealand, when it is safe to do so. Testing is expected to continue to be a requirement of international travel but, subject to further medical advice, Rapid Antigen Tests may be used.
While international travel is still restricted, Australia is now recognised by the UK/Scotland Governments in the eligible vaccinated traveller policy (previously only UK, EU/EFTA and USA), where vaccine certification meets appropriate standards.
The travel trade in Australia are continuing work to support the rise in domestic tourism. Tour operators and travel agents are reporting success and confidence with internal cross-state travel and suggest this interest and demand for travel will continue to international short and long-haul markets, when restrictions are lifted. Trade continue to explore development opportunities for 2022, 2023 and beyond.
For more insights into the Australian market see our visitors from Australia page.
Canada recently announced that fully vaccinated foreign nationals may be allowed to enter Canada for discretionary travel if they meet specific criteria and are vaccinated with one of accepted vaccines recognised by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The Federal Government has also removed its advisory against non-essential travel for Canadians.
Canada is recognised by the UK/Scotland Governments in the eligible vaccinated traveller policy (previously only UK, EU/EFTA and USA), where vaccine certification meets appropriate standards. Currently to enter Scotland, fully vaccinated visitors need to complete a passenger locator form and take a PCR test on day two of arrival in Scotland. Pre-arrival testing for fully vaccinated passengers has been removed.
The Canadian aviation industry has started to pick up, with increased flights both domestically and internationally. Currently there are no direct flights to Scotland operating, however, airlines have now released details of future schedules. Air Transat will restart their Toronto – Glasgow service from 15 December. Air Canada is scheduling the restart of their Toronto – Edinburgh service from June 2022. WestJet has announced they will increase their Scotland services from summer 2022 flying from Toronto to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. This is in addition to their Halifax – Glasgow service.
The Canadian travel trade are ready to send visitors to Scotland and now with further easing of border restrictions, we may see an increase in visits from the VFR market initially. It is anticipated that travel from Canada to Scotland will fully return from spring/summer 2022.
For more insights into the Canadian market see our visitors from Canada page.
As of 4 October 2021, travel rules for those entering the UK from China are:
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Take a pre-departure COVID-19 test (England and Scotland)
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After arrival day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 PCR tests
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Quarantine at home or in the place they are staying for 10 days
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In England only - under the Test to Release scheme, travellers can choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test on day 5. If the result is negative (and the day 2 test was negative) travellers can end quarantine, however, there is no Test to Release day 5 option in Scotland.
China’s vaccination programme has not yet been added to the UK list of 'approved overseas vaccination programmes' and therefore visitors from China are currently subject to the same rules as unvaccinated travellers.
Health and recovery of market
China has now administered 2.2 billion doses of the vaccine, fully vaccinating more than a billion people. To date, vaccine rollout has prioritised large urban populations and people of working age, which means vaccination in our key visitor geographies is well underway. However, as of 3 August, the government announced they would begin also vaccinating children aged 3 -17 beginning with children and young people ages 12-17. The Ministry of Education has urged local authorities to promote student vaccinations – vaccinations must be offered to all eligible students under the age of 18.
The government has a target of fully vaccinating between 80 and 85% of the population by the end of the year.
While China focuses on achieving herd immunity through vaccination, it is likely that international travel to and from China will resume significantly only after both the Winter Olympics (Feb 2022) and the 'Lianghui' or Two Sessions (China’s annual parliamentary meetings in late spring 2022) have passed.
The Chinese version of the international travel health certificate has been officially launched on the WeChat mini program, available for Chinese and foreign citizens living in China. The certificate contains an encrypted QR code for the relevant departments of various countries to verify its authenticity and read personal information. It can also be printed to generate a paper version.
Quarantine and other travel restrictions
Travel restrictions in China remain some of the strictest in the world and while visa centres are open and processing leisure visa applications, the sale of leisure package holidays - anything that includes flight plus hotel - remain suspended.
Airlines do continue to fly limited international routes and report that they are at maximum capacity - including multiple daily Hong Kong to London Heathrow - but direct flights from mainland China to the UK remain suspended.
The Civil Aviation Administration China retains its policy that if all inbound passengers on an airline test negative for COVID-19 for three weeks in a row, the operating airline will be allowed to increase its number of flights to two per week from the mandated one.
If the number of passengers testing positive reaches five, the airline's flights will be suspended for a week. The suspension will last for four weeks if the number of passengers who test positive for COVID-19 is between 5 and 10. After any length of suspension, an airline returns to the mandated one flight per week.
Intermediary insights and horizon scanning
The travel trade in China remains primarily focussed on domestic travel however VisitScotland continue to work closely with intermediaries to develop new Scotland itineraries and encourage sustainable and responsible new product uptake. VisitScotland will participate in two upcoming trade events, ITB Asia in October 2021 and Virtuoso China in November 2021.
For more insights into the Chinese market see our visitors from China page or view our China toolkit.
The current seven-day moving average of daily new cases (88,482) increased 16.1% compared with the previous seven-day moving average (76,223). A total of 47,352,367 COVID-19 cases have been reported as of November 17 2021 (latest data due Thanksgiving). Community transmission remains high in our key visitor DMAs of California, New York, Texas, Florida and Illinois.
Currently 59.3% or 196,800,000 people are fully vaccinated and 20.5% or 40,200,000 people have received their booster.
Travel restrictions
From 4am on 30 November, arriving passengers are required to take a PCR test on or before day two after arrival. From 4am on Tuesday 7 December, all visitors need to be able to provide proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test. They need to have taken this test in the 48 hours before arrival in Scotland.
If you're aged 18 or over, you need to isolate at home, or in the place you’re staying, as soon as you arrive. You can only stop isolating if you receive a negative test result from your day two PCR test.
If the result of your day two PCR test is positive, you will need to isolate for a full 10 days from the date of your positive test result. You can take your day two PCR test on or before day two.
Fully vaccinated visitors from the US
If you’re fully vaccinated, there are three things you must do before you arrive in Scotland
- Make sure that you’re able to prove you’re fully vaccinated
- Book a COVID-19 day two test
- Complete a Passenger Locator Form available on the Scottish Government website.
Further information can be found on the Scottish Government website.
On 19 July, The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both issued on Monday their highest warnings against travel to the United Kingdom because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases.
Aviation
There are several US air routes connecting key hubs in the US with London Heathrow. Direct air routes between Scotland and the US are expected to resume in March 2022. Please note that airline schedules are subject to change so please check directly with the airline for the latest guidance.
Intermediary insights and horizon scanning
Continued interest from US travel trade who are reporting an expected surge in demand once markets are fully opened. Product development continues for many US operators looking at opportunities for 2022, 2023 and beyond.
For more insights into the US market see our visitors from the US page.
UAE is leading the way in vaccinations, with over 70% vaccinated. Booster shots are now available for those who received their second vaccine six months ago. COVID-19 infections have dropped slightly since the end of June, with roughly 1,500 daily cases.
International travel is possible from the UAE, with many countries accepting UAE visitors with negative COVID-19 tests. From 8 August, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are on Scotland’s amber list of countries.
Qatar Airways have continued their Doha - Edinburgh service throughout the pandemic, currently offering two direct flights a week. Emirates have announced that they are re-starting their Dubai – Glasgow service on 11 August, after it was suspended in January. Initially this will be four flights per week, increasing to daily from September.
Travel trade in the GCC are re-focussing their sales programs for 2021, to meet pent-up travel demands, by highlighting neighbouring short-haul holiday destinations with lesser COVID quarantine requirements to their clients. The travel trade report receiving many enquiries for leisure travel to the UK from Q1 of 2022 onwards and suggest consumer confidence for returning to market will rebound quickly in line with the changes to the government traffic light system. Conversations with key players in market suggests that understanding destination restrictions and health and safety measures in place is key for travellers in this market.
After a deadly second wave in India, where over 400,000 daily case numbers were reported at the peak in May 2021, numbers have dropped down to around 10% of this. Lockdowns are easing but there are still restrictions across the country.
Vaccines started on 16 January and those aged 18 and over are being encouraged to get vaccinated. India has administered over 470 million vaccines, with 26% of the population having received one dose and only around 8% of the population fully vaccinated so far.
Travel trade in India have reported great success with domestic tourism in recent months and have been focussing sales efforts to support this demand. Demand for international travel is still very high too, with travel trade reporting many outbound leisure trips being made to European destinations who have recently opened their borders with lesser COVID restrictions for travellers from India, such as Spain and France.
From 8 August, India is on Scotland’s amber list of countries. We expect to see a lot of demand for visits to the UK, especially from those who can quarantine with family on arrival.
For more insights into the India market see our visitors from India page
International COVID-19 sentiment research
In partnership with VisitBritain, Visit Wales, and London & Partners, research was commissioned to understand international consumer sentiment towards international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The third phase of the International Consumer Sentiment Research has now been completed (fieldwork 23 August - 6 September 2021) covering 13 markets; Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Irish Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, USA – sample size 7,500 respondents who have travelled abroad at least once in the past three years.
- Desire to travel internationally remains very high and has increased in all markets surveyed. Eight in 10 respondents now intend to travel internationally certainly or probably in the coming 12 months showing a steady and more established desire to travel despite prolonged pandemic uncertainties.
- By age, whilst younger demographics still have the highest propensity to travel there is a growing sentiment for travel for older generations as the vaccination rate increases. It is actually those aged 55+ who are more likely to have already decided (and booked) their next international leisure trip.
- Overall, over 4 in 10 (43%) have a clear plan in mind about where they want to go but only 13% have booked their trip, making the destination choice still open for the next year. The USA, Netherlands, Germany and Irish Republic are the most likely to have booked their trip. The majority of leisure intenders having Britain destinations in mind had booked with the majority still considering a wider set of destinations.
- Markets are still primarily motivated by holidays to take their leisure trip (86%) but stable proportion still express interest to visit friends and/or relatives (34%) showing the continued pent up demand to connect with others in the current climate.
- A combination of health and money-related factors are still top for triggering bookings for international travel in the next 12 months, however, a money-back guarantee is now the number one activator for trip planning.
- Travellers’ intentions show increasing expectations for living the full destination experience, including socialising activities and a high demand for food-related experiences.
- Europe continues to be the most popular global region, with 63% of respondents saying they would consider travelling there. This is most pronounced in short haul markets (75% would consider it), but Europe remains top in long haul markets too (48%). 13% of those interested in leisure trips in Europe would consider Britain specifically.
- Regarding top European destinations for travellers, Britain has increased its competitive ranking in most short haul markets except Germany and Spain, with a top 3 spot in the Nordic markets, Italy, and the Irish Republic. Its position is much higher in long haul markets, being the top European destination for China and Australia, and in the top four for India, Canada and the US – although the latter two are down by one each compared to wave 2.
- Overall perceptions of all Britain destinations in term of COVID-19 safety have improved, with 2/3 of respondents now rating it as COVID-19 safe – as opposed to December 2020, where they were in the minority. This has increased the most since March 2021 for Australian and Chinese respondents specifically, but also in closer markets like France and Spain.
- For destinations within Britain, 55% are interested in England, 39% in Scotland, and 18% in Wales (multiple answers allowed). Long haul markets are generally more interested in all three, with India listing the most interest in all three regions. Germany was the only nation to list Scotland higher than England (40% vs 38%) although Spain was tied for both (49% each).
Visit the Visit Britain website for a summary of the research.