Taoyuan, Taiwan — Taiwan and Palau launched what is being billed as Asia’s first coronavirus travel bubble on Thursday as the two diplomatic allies try to kickstart their battered tourist industries after successfully keeping infections at bay.
Around 100 excited Taiwanese tourists arrived at Taoyuan international airport near Taipei on Thursday morning, checking in some five hours before their afternoon flight in order to be tested for the coronavirus.
“I haven’t been on an airplane for over a year and I am so excited,” one unnamed passenger told SET TV at the airport.
“This is the inaugural tour and we are on the same flight with Palau president,” he added.
President …
Keep on reading: Diplomatic allies Taiwan and Palau begin coronavirus travel bubble