Wish you were there? Five holiday destinations we can start dreaming about visiting this year - Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and USA

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said last Thursday that she cannot advise people to book a holiday with "any degree of confidence" - but the Executive plans to publish a 'decision-making framework' on exiting lockdown today.

Ahead of that, we take a look at five popular destinations to see what tourism rules are currently in place and what regulations to expect for this summer.

Spain

The Balearic Government will ask Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to allow the islands to become the first region in the country to test the Covid-19 vaccine passport, if and when it is authorised by the EU.

Spain's Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto confirmed that both the Balearic and Canary Islands already have protocols in place for them to adopt a safe travel corridor with other countries, but the Covid vaccine passport would be incorporated in the strategy.

The Spanish Government is also preparing for safe travel corridors and vaccine passport schemes to be adopted in coastal regions such as Valencia, Catalonia and Andalusia.

Greece

Athens, Santorini, Corfu and Crete are just some of the most popular Greek destinations for Northern Ireland's sun seekers. Greece's Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis has said he is hopeful that it would be a "normal summer" for vaccinated holidaymakers.

Mr Theoharis added that "technical discussions" are currently taking place with the UK and hopes for a solution.

It is understood that vaccine passports are being discussed as a way to resume international travel.

Mr Theoharis has stated that Greece will allow unvaccinated tourists from the UK into the country as long as they provide a negative Covid result.

Cyprus

Cypriot Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios has made it clear that the country will have to rely on holiday packages in the hot summer months as holidaymakers are unlikely to take an off-season break during the global pandemic.

Cyprus is looking to introduce a new policy where vaccinated travellers will not need to undergo current testing and quarantine rules.

Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos, said: "The amended action plan is expected to further boost the interest of airline companies to carry out additional flights to Cyprus, improve connectivity and increase passenger traffic."

Travellers who are not vaccinated will still need to meet Cyprus's entry requirements.

Italy

After being hit hard during the first wave of Covid-19, Italy is in a state of emergency until April 30.

Irish citizens are allowed to enter the country but must produce a negative Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours of arrival. Arrivals from the UK are banned indefinitely.

Over 3.5m Italian citizens have been vaccinated so far, with Prime Minister Mario Draghi hoping all adults will receive the jab by September.

Unlike other countries, the chances of a trip to Italy this summer remain rather vague.

Tourism Minister Dario Franceschini recently said that "Italian tourism will return very quickly" after the pandemic.

USA

In one of his first acts as the new President, Joe Biden banned all United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland citizens from entering the United States - a country which has suffered half a million Covid-19 related deaths.

However, Hawaii plans to give its tourism industry a boost by lifting quarantine rules for travellers who have been vaccinated and fancy seeing the Pacific hotspot.

The island's Lieutenant Governor Joshua Green said that they are looking at how a vaccine passport could work.

Meanwhile, holiday company Tui cancelled all flights to Florida until May.

Hopes of a vacation to the US this summer will come down to the country's Covid transmission rate and vaccination programme.

Belfast Telegraph