Japan announced it would start conducting “test tourism” in the form of limited package tours in May. It is a way of gathering information before a full re-opening of the country to tourism.

Japan’s economy is largely dependent on the tourism industry, however, it has taken a huge hit due to the pandemic. The country closed its borders to outsiders at the start of 2020. There have substantial relaxations in the rules to let students and some business travelers into the country. Individual travelers, though, still do not have permission to visit, despite demands from industry leaders to reopen tourism.

The country would start allowing small group tours to enter from later this month as “test cases” to gain information for a broader resumption of tourism at an unspecified future date.

Tourists who have been triple-vaccinated and come from the United States, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore will be allowed to take part in the tours which will be strictly planned in conjunction with travel agencies and accompanied at all times by tour conductors, according to a statement.

“This venture will allow us to verify compliance and emergency responses for infection prevention and formulate guidelines for travel agencies and accommodation operators to keep in mind,” it said.