MADRID — More and more destinations are easing travel restrictions, says UNWTO, with 70% of all global destinations reopening to international tourism.

After months of border closures due to the COVID-19 crisis, a total of 152 destinations have eased restrictions as of Nov. 1, up from the 115 recorded on Sept. 1. At the same time, 59 destinations have kept their borders closed to tourists, a decrease of 34 over the same two-month period.

This data was taken from the World Tourism Organization’s Travel Restrictions Report, which tracks measures being taken in 217 destinations worldwide.

“The lifting of travel restrictions is essential to drive our wider recovery from the social and economic impacts of the pandemic,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “Governments have an important part to play in giving data-led and responsible travel advice and in working together to lift restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Europe continues to lead the way in lifting or easing travel restrictions, followed by the Americas, Africa and then the Middle East. Asia and the Pacific continues to be region with the fewest travel restrictions eased and more complete border closures in place for international tourism.

The report also highlights the role governments can play in restarting tourism. Out of the 10 biggest tourism source markets, four (representing 19% of all outbound trips in 2018) have issued guidance advising against all non-essential international travel. The other six (representing 30% of all outbound trips in 2018), however, have issued more nuanced travel advisories.

Canada, which has some of the most stringent travel restrictions in the world, continues to issue a non-essential travel advisory until further notice. The Government of Canada’s Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act, which was recently extended until Jan. 21, 2021, requires all travellers entering Canada by air, land or sea to isolate for 14 days.