Competition
Thailand to go ahead with Special Tourist Visa schemeedit
Travel Andy News – Online
Thailand will go ahead with the Special Tourist Visa (STV) scheme to welcome international tourists back to the country, Bangkok Post reported citing the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
For the true costs of Thailands 2020 tourism retraction, look beyond the tourism sectoredit
TTG Asia – Online
In the past decade, the AsiaPacific region established itself as the worlds largest, fastestgrowing, and most diverse tourism market. In Thailand, the tourism sector supported almost 20 per cent of national GDP in 2019, and one in five jobs, according to the WTTC.
You forgot something Thailand mails trash back to tourists as it aims to protect natural wondersedit
Lonely Planet – Online
Elephants in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Elephants in Khao Yai National Park Catherine Sutherland / Lonely PlanetIts not the type of souvenir most of us have in mind. In September, tourists who had stayed at Thailands Khao Yai National Park received a package in the mail: rubbish that theyd left behind while staying at the park.
With borders closed and still wary about domestic travel, Malaysians reroute holiday budgets to shoppingedit
The Straits Times – Online
Malaysia remains in its recovery phase of its movement control order (MCO) until Dec 31, during which social and economic activities have been mostly allowed to resume with safe measures adhered to.
Thailand to allow low risk tourist flightsedit
Asia Times – Online
An airport official in protective gear sprays disinfectant on passengers luggage at Suvarnabhumi Airport as selected groups of foreigners are to be allowed to enter Thailand.
Thailand Now Single Platform That Answers All Questions For Travellers Visiting The Kingdomedit
Travel Newsy – Online
Thailand is among the planets most searched travel destinations on Google. Yet search results are where problems often start, especially for people seeking reliable and insightful answers to their questions about the country.
Bali Reopening For International Tourism Delayed Until End of 2020edit
Travel Off Path – Online
Bali will not open for international tourism until the end of 2020, Governor Wayan Koster has announced in a press conference. The Governor of Bali originally announced that the island would officially be reopening its borders for international tourism on September 11th, 2020 but that was overruled by the Indonesian Government and delayed until the end of the year.
As India gradually opens up, travellers begin to check in for leisure traveledit
The Economic Times – Online
According to a survey done by ixigo with over 5,000 users in September, 21% of the respondents said that they were travelling for a workation.
Singapore Food Festival goes virtual for 2020edit
News Tube – Online
According to Lim Si Ting, regional director of the Singapore Tourism Board India, “This is the only food festival in Singapore that focuses on local cuisine. Being on site was an important part of the festival, with visitors trying out the different cusines and interacting with experts.
Singapore allows travellers from Australia & Vietnamedit
ET Travel World – Online
Singapore has now allowed visitors travelling from Australia (excluding Victoria state) and Vietnam to apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for entry into Singapore on or after October 8, 2020. Citing the reasons for the lifting of border restrictions for visitors from the two countries, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore in a press release mentioned, “Both countries have comprehensive public health surveillance systems and displayed successful control over the spread of the Covid 19 virus.
Bali tourist workers return to their roots during pandemicedit
DW – Online
Coronavirus travel restrictions have hit the tourism industry hard. On the Indonesian island of Bali, the price has been lost jobs and reduced income. But some locals are turning to a traditional form of farming for a financial lifeline during trying times.
“Cruises to nowhere” from Singapore poised to resumeedit
TTG AsiaTTG Asia, Bloomberg Quint, Yahoo News, Flip Board, The Asian Age – Online
Cruise companies may soon be allowed to launch “cruise to nowhere” trips from Singapore, as the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is developing a health and safety framework to restart these sailings.
COVID 19 Contained, China to See 600 Million Domestic Vacation Trips in ‘Golden Week Holiday’edit
Yahoo News, APN News – Online
The National Day of People’s Republic of China is observed on October 1. The date also coincides with the observance of a week long Mid Autumn Festival in China and Hong Kong. The period is considered as one of the most preferred time for vacations in China, ahead of the winter season that begins next month.
Singapore Airlines is turning a parked A380 superjumbo jet into a restaurant to cater to a travelhungry populationedit
Business Insider – Online
Singapore Airlines is converting one of its Airbus A380 aircraft into a restaurant, catering to travel hungry residents of the island nation. is converting one of its aircraft into a restaurant, catering to travelhungry residents of the island nation.
Singapore Airlines Drops Flights to Nowhere Plan After Outcry Over Fuel Wastageedit
News 18, Travel Mole – Online
Singapore Airlines said Tuesday it had scrapped plans for flights to nowhere aimed at boosting its coronavirushit finances after an outcry over the environmental impact. With the aviation industry in deep crisis, several carriers including in Australia, Japan and Taiwan have been offering short flights that start and end at the same airport to raise cash.
Industry
Demand for domestic flights picks up, but tourism boom unlikely this festive seasonedit
The Times of India – Online
Usually, flights to South East Asia are chocabloc during the Puja holidays with fares going through the roof. But this year, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and other destinations are yet to open up to tourists. With UK and UAE the only countries open for tourism, travel agents had expected business from there.
Road trips back in favouredit
Live Mint – Online
Amanpreet Bajaj, general manager Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said that bookings trends have shown us that unique stays and large homes have emerged as a choice for family and friends to be together for breaks and longer stay options.
Civil aviation regulations and international flight operations in Indiaedit
The Hans India – Online
Currently, India has allowed the recommencement of the international flight operations from September 30. However, Asian countries like Singapore and a few others are yet to give travel clearance to the air passengers from countries like India. Forcing several air passengers from India to travel to the island nation via Dubai, after going through a 14day quarantine there.
Specific
Fate of Disneyland, Ocean Park hangs on Hong Kong’s tourism futureedit
Flip Board – Online
This idea may have some superficial attraction, but there is also a considerable downside. It would deprive thousands of Hong Kong families of the opportunity of a pleasurable day out, and reduce the city’s attractiveness to international and mainland tourists.
Hong Kong’s Peculiar Architecture Can Be Explained by Feng Shuiedit
Mental Floss – Online
But not every architect in Hong Kong takes feng shui into account. The Bank of China Tower is infamous for its sharp angles, which feng shui experts claim damages the positive energy around it. Anything bad that happens to the surrounding businesses is immediately blamed on the tower, and the neighboring HSBC building even installed cranes that are meant to combat any bad luck it radiates.
Hong Kong August retail sales plunge 13.1% as spending, tourism evaporateedit
Reuters – Online
Hong Kongs retail sales plunged 13.1% in August from a year earlier as coronavirus restrictions slammed the brakes on spending in the city and tourism slowed to a trickle Sales dropped to HK$25.6 billion ($3.30 billion), government data showed on Wednesday, falling for the 18th straight month but at a somewhat slower pace than in July, when they tumbled by 23.1%.
HK Express launches flights to nowhereedit
Business Traveller – Online
Budget carrier HK Express is offering 1.5 hour flights encircling Hong Kong in an effort to cope with the Covid 19 travel slump.
Golf: Hong Kong Open postponed due to COVID19 pandemicedit
Reuters, News 18, The Times of India, Realtime Rediff – Online
The Hong Kong Open will be postponed until next year due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, the organisers of the golf tournament said on Wednesday. The event, which is organised by the European and Asian Tours, was due to be held at the Hong Kong Golf Club at the end of November.