Qatar Airways has introduced a unique “Travel Bubble Holiday” package as the company’s latest innovation. If you are a Qatari, you can now go on a holiday to Maldives without any restrictions and enjoy your holiday, surrounded by glistening turquoise waters, without having to worry about going into quarantine or self-isolation upon arrival or return. Added benefits include the exclusive usage of resorts for Qatar Airways Holidays’ guests. This is the first time a country has offered to veto their COVID-19 travel restrictions for tourism.

The idea is that every passenger on a Qatar flight to Maldives has a negative COVID-19 PCR test which is no more than 72 hours old, and another rapid PCR test taken just before flying, and forms a holiday “bubble.” In addition, passengers are required to sign a passenger declaration form. 

You will need to take one more PCR test when you return to Qatar, but there will be no need to fill out an Exceptional Entry Permit or be given permission to re-enter Qatar (which is currently needed for any other travel into the state).

Qatar advises you to book your travel bubble holiday package between now and 24th December 2020, and you must take your holiday by 7th January 2021. For more information, please visit the Qatar Airways website

The travel industry has been put to a halt due to the current pandemic, but with the reopening of many international borders and resumption of flights between many countries, things are looking up. The travel industry has become quite innovative in their means of promoting their businesses to attract more customers, and tourists are increasing day by day, while simultaneously keeping them safe.