Easter Island, a Chilean island territory in the middle of the Pacific Ocean known for its monumental statues, on Monday August 1 lifted the entry ban measures imposed two years ago to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The first flight with tourists, most of whom were booked before the epidemic in early 2020, will land this Thursday, August 4, at Hanga Roa International Airport, the island’s capital, local media reported. Deputy Undersecretary of Tourism Veronica Kunzen. “We have to open the island, but we have to do it safely“, – She said:
An island heavily dependent on tourism
Before the epidemic, the island was located about 3,500 km from the coast of Chile, home to about 7,000 permanent residents, receiving about 160,000 tourists a year, transported by two flights a day. The reopening will be carried out gradually. There will be only two 300-seat flights a week, and only people who are up to date on their vaccination schedule and who have presented a negative PCR test less than 24 hours old will be allowed to visit the island.
This touristic re-opening takes place in tense climatic conditions. In a referendum in October 2021, 67% of Rapa Nui, the Polynesian culture that inhabits the island, voted against the return of foreign visitors, while the local economy is largely based on tourism. According to the local tourist office, the island will have enough hotel capacity to respond to the recovery with 2,500 beds. Figures, which, however, represent only 45% of the pre-epidemic capacity, as the newspaper notes. El Pais America .
Half of the 24 tourist attractions will remain closed due to lack of manpower. Of the 7,000 inhabitants, 2,000 left the island to escape unemployment. “We can’t keep all the sites open because we would have to hire too many people and that would put us out of business. As tourists pay for their tickets, we can invest by rentingUko Tongariki Tuk, director of the island’s tourist office, explains to the newspaper El Pais America.
Source: Le Figaro
