Competition
COVID19: Seychelles reboots tourism, with a twistedit
ORF Online – Online
Seychelles has entered a new phase in containing the COVID19 outbreak while simultaneously managing the reopening of its international tourism industry. Having initially announced 11 COVID19 cases in April, the country responded with lockdown measures.
Thailand makes 30day stay compulsory for tourists from Octoberedit
India Today – Online
Thailand tourism has been badly hit due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. (Photos: Reuters) Thailand will allow foreign tourists to visit for longer stays from October, a senior official said on Friday. The move comes as the government tries to revive a key economic sector that has been devasted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Thai tourist arrivals tumble 71% y/y in Jan July amid outbreakedit
Reuters – Online
Thailands tourist arrivals and spending saw a yearonyear slide of about 70% in the first seven months, data showed on Monday, as a fourth month of border closures aimed at keeping out COVID19 took a bite out of its struggling economy.
Bali bans foreign travellers for the rest of 2020 amid COVID19 concernsedit
Hindustan Times, The Times of India, Business Insider, India Today, The Economic Times, Business Standard Bloomberg Quint – Online
The alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases worldwide have not only made countries tighten lockdown restrictions but also stabbed Bali travel plans. Bali bucket list to remain unfulfilled for travel enthusiasts as the Indonesian island cancels plan to welcome back foreign visitors until the end of 2020.
AAPA welcomes Singapores initiative to reopen air travel corridorsedit
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) on Monday applauded the Singapore governments efforts to restart air travel in a safe yet progressive way. Singapores unilateral opening of its borders to travellers from Brunei and New Zealand is a very important step in the right direction, said AAPA Director General Subhas Menon.
Industry
Hoteliers cautiously optimistic of business revivaledit
Travel Trends Today – Online
Indias domestic tourism market is strong and that will be a key factor in the industrys recovery. Outbound travel will be minimal and discretionary, and travelers will prefer places easily accessible through roads. So, overall, domestic business driven by the leisure segment, followed by weddings segment is expected to recover faster.
Mention
As Indians are trapped at home, online guided tours let them explore the world virtuallyedit
Scroll – Online
All bookings got cancelled and the guides were left with no pay and no social security safety net, Gaurav Kumar, founder of TourHQ, which has offices in Hong Kong and New Delhi, told Quartz. While Kumar and his team were thinking about how to keep the business afloat, they were spurred into action because of the desperate calls they were getting from their guide partners, some even requesting small loans to make ends meet.
Specific
Hong Kong tourism company moves walking tours online for free amid COVID19 pandemicedit
Hindustan Times, Newzz, Money Control – Online
Good news for travelstarved audience as they can now enjoy free online tours in Cantonese focussed on local history and culture after a Hong Kong tourism company shifts walking tours online due to coronavirus restrictions.
Hong Kong Tourism Board Brings the Popular Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival to the Virtual Spaceedit
Business Wire, PR Newswire, IT News Online – Online
The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, which launched in 2009, altered its format to ensure it could produce a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees in light of evolving health and safety protocols related to COVID19.