A New Era of Easier Travel Begins in 2026 as Greece, Oman and More Countries Relax Entry Rules for Tourists

Written By: Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya is a content writer with a strong academic and professional background in media and communication. She holds an M.Sc in Media Science and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore, with a specialization in Advertising. With over three years of experience in content writing, she brings a blend of research-driven insight and creative storytelling to her work. Alongside her professional role, she is actively engaged in academics, contributing to the field through teaching and scholarly involvement. Her expertise lies in crafting well-structured, engaging, and informative content, supported by a solid foundation in media theory and practical industry knowledge.

See Full Bio

August 8, 2026 10:30 PM

Image generated with Ai

A new era of easier travel is emerging in 2026, as Greece, Oman and more countries reshape entry rules for international tourists. Across popular destinations, governments are introducing or adjusting visa-free access, simplified visas and targeted travel arrangements. As a result, the way tourists plan international holidays is changing quickly. Greece is extending its island-focused scheme, while Oman continues offering simplified short-stay access to eligible visitors. Meanwhile, other countries are opening new routes for global travellers. Travel And Tour World urges readers to explore the entire story, because these 2026 travel changes could influence where, how and when tourists plan their next international journey.

Greece Door Visa Scheme Drives Turkish Tourism to 12 Greek Islands

Greece’s door visa scheme is making short island holidays easier for eligible Turkish travellers and has contributed to a strong rise in tourism between Türkiye and Greece.

According to the reported figures, Turkish arrivals in Greece increased by 25% compared with 2024, with around 300,000 additional visitors in 2025, taking the total to approximately 1.5 million. More than 100,000 visas were issued through the island programme in 2024.

The scheme began in April 2024 with 10 islands and later expanded to 12 Greek destinations. They are Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Leros, Lesvos, Limnos, Patmos, Rhodes, Samothrace, Samos, Symi and Chios.

The programme is particularly useful for travellers from Türkiye because these islands are close to the Turkish coastline. It provides an opportunity for short Aegean holidays focused on beaches, historic attractions, local cuisine, villages and coastal experiences.

The special arrangement allows eligible visitors to stay for up to seven days. The visa is issued through authorised entry points on participating islands. However, travellers should understand that it is not a standard Schengen visa and does not allow them to continue freely to other Schengen destinations.

Anyone planning to combine an island visit with Athens, mainland Greece or another European country should check separate visa requirements before travelling.

The programme comes as Greece continues to experience strong tourism demand. Bank of Greece data recorded 41.75 million regional visits in 2025, while the Southern Aegean remained one of the country’s most important tourism regions.

Travellers should verify eligibility, documentation, entry points and current conditions before departure. Border procedures can change, particularly during busy travel periods.

For eligible Turkish tourists, the scheme provides a convenient route to explore Greece’s Aegean islands through short, carefully planned holidays. For the wider tourism industry, the programme demonstrates how simpler travel procedures can stimulate regional visitor growth.

Greece Is Not Alone: 5 Destinations Making Travel Easier in 2026

Greece is part of a wider global travel trend. In 2026, several destinations are changing entry rules to make short international trips easier.

The approaches differ. Some countries have introduced visa-free access for selected nationalities. Others have expanded existing exemptions or created targeted arrangements for important tourism markets.

For travellers, these changes can reduce advance paperwork and make spontaneous holidays easier to plan. They can also encourage visitors to explore destinations that compete for international tourism.

Here are five destinations showing how easier entry is becoming a major part of the global travel strategy in 2026.

1. Oman Makes Short Gulf Holidays Easier With 14-Day Visa Exemption

Oman is making short holidays more accessible through a visa exemption covering visitors from more than 100 countries and regions. The Omani Foreign Ministry says eligible travellers can enter without an entry visa for stays of up to 14 days. The policy is specifically presented as an effort to promote and simplify tourist services. Oman divides eligible nationalities into two groups, with different conditions applying to some countries. Visitors must meet requirements including passport validity, return travel, confirmed accommodation, health insurance and sufficient funds. For travellers from the second group, additional eligibility conditions can apply, including holding a valid visa or residency connected with certain countries. The arrangement creates an attractive option for short Gulf breaks, particularly for travellers combining Muscat with coastal, desert or mountain experiences.

2. Philippines Opens a New 14-Day Route for Chinese Tourists

The Philippines introduced a targeted visa-free arrangement for Chinese nationals in January 2026. Under the government announcement, eligible Chinese passport holders can enter without a visa for tourism or business for up to 14 days. The arrangement began on January 16, 2026, and is intended to support tourism, investment, trade and people-to-people connections. The privilege is non-extendable and cannot be converted into another Philippine visa category. Travellers must also meet specific entry conditions. These include having a passport valid for at least six months, confirmed accommodation and a return or onward ticket. The initial arrangement is limited to entry through Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu. For tourists, this creates a simpler pathway into two of the country’s principal international gateways.

3. China Expands Visa-Free Travel for British and Canadian Visitors

China is another major destination using visa policy to encourage international travel. From February 17, 2026, ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom became eligible for visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days. China’s government says the arrangement covers tourism alongside business, family and friends visits, exchanges and transit. The measure is scheduled to remain in force through December 31, 2026. For travellers from the UK and Canada, the change can significantly simplify planning for short Chinese holidays. It also creates greater flexibility for multi-city itineraries. Visitors can consider destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu or other cities without adding a conventional tourist visa application when they meet the exemption conditions. China has been progressively expanding its visa-free arrangements, making entry policy an increasingly important part of its international tourism strategy.

4. Thailand Adjusts Visa-Free Travel While Protecting Tourism Access

Thailand is taking a slightly different approach. Instead of simply expanding access, the government reviewed its visa-exemption framework in July 2026. Thailand’s Cabinet approved changes intended to make the system more consistent with current conditions while maintaining tourism facilitation and addressing security concerns. The government described the approach as a move toward country-specific entitlements, with the previous 60-day exemption being revised in favour of shorter periods for affected nationalities. The policy review also matters for Indian travellers, an important tourism market for Thailand. The government has therefore demonstrated how visa policy can be adjusted rather than simply expanded. For tourists, the lesson is particularly important: entry rules can change during the travel year. Anyone planning Thailand in 2026 should check the latest official requirements before booking flights or accommodation.

5. Peru Opens a Simpler Route for Moroccan Travellers With Major Visas

Peru has also introduced a targeted visa exemption in 2026. A decree published in Peru’s official gazette on July 25, 2026, exempts Moroccan ordinary passport holders from the tourist visa requirement when they possess a valid Schengen or United States visa. The measure applies to tourism entry and permits a maximum stay of up to 183 calendar days, whether through one continuous visit or consecutive visits during the relevant period. This is particularly interesting because it links Peru’s entry process to visas already held by eligible travellers. For Moroccan tourists who already qualify for travel to the Schengen Area or the United States, the additional administrative barrier for a Peruvian holiday is reduced. The policy could make Peru more appealing for long-haul travellers interested in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the wider Andean region.

How These 2026 Changes Compare

The five destinations are using different models. Greece focuses on selected Eastern Aegean islands and eligible Turkish travellers. Oman provides a broader 14-day exemption for more than 100 countries and regions. The Philippines has created a targeted 14-day arrangement for Chinese nationals. China has expanded 30-day visa-free access to British and Canadian passport holders. Peru has connected eligibility to existing Schengen or US visas for Moroccan travellers. Thailand, meanwhile, shows that governments can simultaneously facilitate tourism and tighten or redesign entry rules.

What This Means for Global Travellers

The bigger story is not simply about visas. It is about how destinations compete for travellers.

A simpler entry process can influence where tourists choose to spend their holidays. It can make a short break more practical. It can also encourage travellers to add another destination to an existing international itinerary.

For tourists, however, easier entry should never be confused with automatic entry.

Visa-free and simplified arrangements normally come with conditions. Passport validity, return tickets, accommodation, insurance, permitted activities and entry points can all matter.

The Greece example shows how targeted facilitation can benefit specific regions. The same principle is appearing elsewhere, although each country is using its own model.

Oman is prioritising short stays. The Philippines is targeting a major Asian visitor market. China is widening access for British and Canadian travellers. Peru is reducing barriers for a specific group of Moroccan visitors. Thailand is recalibrating its system while retaining tourism facilitation as a policy objective.

For global tourists, 2026 is therefore becoming a year when checking visa rules before travelling is more important than ever.

The smartest approach is simple. Check the destination’s official immigration or foreign ministry website immediately before booking. Confirm the nationality-specific conditions. Then plan flights, hotels and activities around the exact permitted stay.

As destinations compete for international visitors, visa convenience is increasingly becoming part of the holiday experience itself.