Earlier this month, Portugal was unexpectedly removed from the UK’s green travel list, sparking a furious reaction from the travel industry.
However, ever-improving Covid rates and vaccination numbers in other parts of the world make it increasingly likely that more countries could be added to the green list in the coming weeks.
Senior figures claimed data shows destinations such as Malta should have been put on the green tier, and questioned why Portugal was not put on a “green watchlist”.
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Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency, was among those in the sector who expressed anger when Portugal was moved to the amber list last week, as it meant no major tourist destination remained in the green tier, Lancs Live reports.
Portugal and other countries such as Malta, Morocco and Grenada should be on the green list but decisions on restrictions were “highly political, not based on data at all”, Mr Charles claimed.
Here are 10 countries that look likely to join those on the green list in the coming weeks.
Malta is probably the stand-out candidate for being added to the green list.
It currently has a case rate of just seven per 100,000 and three quarters of the population have been vaccinated.
When Malta was not turned green last time around Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo had some strong words to share.
“The (British government) is ignoring scientific advice. It has taken a political decision not to allow travel anywhere, despite the pressure it faces from airlines, tourism operators and the people in general,” he wrote.
Canary Islands
The island chain, which includes destinations such as Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, has been a long-time favourite with Brits wanting to get some sun and sand.
While they are currently classified as amber, its Covid rate of 38.4 and jab rate of 47.8 (up from 37.7) puts it on good footing.
Balearics
There has been much talk of separating certain…