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How Gran Canaria has restarted its tourism industry

Air
Maddie Barber
13 July 2020

Days after the FCO lifted its advice against all but essential travel to Spain, Madeleine Barber flew to the Canary Islands with the UNWTO to investigate how the pandemic has reshaped travel there.

The UNWTO and Canary Islands tourist board held a special trip to see how Gran Canaria was restarting tourism. Photo: Michael Collins

"Keep your distance!” an airport official barked as two passengers ahead jostle to hand over their passport and boarding pass at the gate.

This is a phrase newly plastered across the floor, walls and digital screens of Heathrow Terminal 5, given it’s just three days since the Foreign Office lifted its ban on all but essential travel for 67 destinations as the coronavirus pandemic begins to ease in Europe.