Vaccine rollout means more countries could welcome UK tourists this year
Research suggests that the number of countries on the "green" travel list could double
More than 100 countries could open their borders to welcome UK visitors this year thanks to the vaccine rollout.
Research suggests that the success of the vaccine programme means that holiday-makers from the UK could travel to more countries with no increased risk of spreading or contracting Covid-19.
A study carried out by Oxera and Edge Health for Manchester Airports Group, which looks at the risk of infection from travel in July and August 2020, suggests that if case rates are similar to last year, the number of destinations available to UK tourists could increase drastically.
The study's findings are based on the UK's extensive vaccine rollout, which has been described as "crucial" to safely reopening air travel.
Michele Granatstein, Partner at Oxera and Head of its Aviation practice, said: "The successful rollout of the UK’s vaccination programme, with 32m people having received a first dose, is crucial to the safe re-opening of air travel.
"The vaccines’ role in significantly reducing not only the number of hospitalisations and COVID-19 deaths but transmission rates of the virus should give assurance that safe travel to international destinations is within reach."
Non-essential travel abroad from the UK is currently illegal and could even risk a £5,000 fine.
However, this could change from 17th May which marks the potential date for the reintroduction of foreign travel according to the Government's roadmap.
A number of European countries, including Turkey and Greece, have already said they aim to welcome British holiday-makers this year.
Meanwhile, the European Union has introduced digital green certificates which will allow European citizens to move freely across Europe this summer.
The UK Government is yet to announce whether it will introduce some form of vaccine passport for foreign travel.
Here are the countries that could welcome UK tourists this summer:
Greece
Greece hopes to welcome UK tourists from as early as May. Visitors will have to be vaccinated, have had a recent negative test or have the Covid-19 antibodies.
Turkey
UK travellers heading to Turkey are unlikely to be required to provide proof of a Covid-19 vaccine or a negative test result. Instead, Turkish ministers have said they are working with the UK Government to ensure travelling to and from the country is Covid secure.
Cyprus
Cyprus will also welcome UK tourists this summer as long as they have had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
P&O ferry cruises
Ferry company P&O has said that holidaymakers will have to provide proof that they have had two doses of the vaccine. If holidaymakers fail to provide evidence they will not be allowed on board the staycation cruises.