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The governments of Taiwan and Palau have been operating a “travel bubble” since April 1, marking the return of international tourism between the two islands.
Both countries have managed the pandemic exceptionally well, but travel between the two hasn’t come roaring back just yet. Barriers like airline prices and health restrictions make traveling in the pandemic more difficult, and demand for trips is low.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Taiwan has reported just over 1,100 cases total, and Palau has reported 0 cases. On April 1, Palau one of Taiwan’s few official diplomatic allies opened a “sterile corridor” to allow tourists to visit without quarantining upon arrival.
Excited tourists depart Taiwan on inaugural bubble flight to Palau
04/01/2021 06:19 PM
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A group of people pose for a photo prior to boarding their flight for Palau on Thursday / CNA photo April 1, 2021
Taipei, April 1 (CNA) The inaugural flight in a travel bubble arrangement between Taiwan and Palau took off from Taoyuan on Thursday, carrying 100 exuberant tourists, as well as Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. and his delegation.
Many of the tourists on the China Airlines (CAL) flight said that more than anything else, they were excited about the water activities in Palau, on the first commercial trip to the Pacific island country since Taiwan closed its borders to inbound and outbound group tours on March 19 last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
First flight of Taiwan-Palau ‘travel bubble’ takes off
By Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporter, with CNA and AFP
Taiwan and Palau yesterday launched what is being billed as the Asia-Pacific region’s first COVID-19 “travel bubble,” as the diplomatic allies seek to kick-start their battered tourist industries after successfully keeping infections at bay.
Excited Taiwanese tourists arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, checking in five hours before their afternoon flight so that they could be tested for COVID-19.
All tested negative for the virus before their departure, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said, adding that the flight carried 123 passengers, 23 of whom were members of a diplomatic delegation from Palau.
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