Hong Kong’s tourism industry is desperately urging the government to set-up “travel bubbles” with neighbouring regions as a lifeline, warning the hard-hit sector will need an extended period to recover from the near-total shutdown brought on by the pandemic. The creation of travel corridors between countries, which jointly agree to drop quarantine requirements, is something the […]
Category Archives: Asia
Asia, News, Top Stories
All eyes on the return of Chinese tourists, as Asian travel economy hits rock bottom
10
Jun
Jun
When will Chinese tourists return? That’s the question foremost on the minds of south-east and far-east destinations. Asian tourism has been ravaged by the pandemic and Chinese tourists, regarded as the largest spenders in the region, hold the key to recovery. According to South China Morning Post, clues can be gleaned from observing how movement […]
Asia, News, Round Up
Malaysian tourism outfit Matta says high air-ticket rates will make recovery harder
10
Jun
Jun
A major organisation in the tourism trade has raised concerns over the high price of tickets for domestic air travel, saying it will make it hard for the sector to recover. Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Tan Kok Liang told Free Malaysia Today (FMT) that the impact would be felt on […]
09
Jun
Jun
Vietnam’s biggest island, Phu Quoc, will be reopening soon as it undergoes a trial run as part of the country’s initiative to restart tourism. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy has confirmed that the ministry has been working on a plan to bring back foreign tourists into selected islands, including Phu […]
09
Jun
Jun
Sri Lanka Tourism has prepared guidelines and taken precautionary measures to start welcoming overseas guests from August 1. The country’s major airports, Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo Ratmalana Airport and Mattala Rajapaksa Hambantota Airport, will be in operation to receive the tourists. All travellers will require a valid visa that will be issued for 30 days […]
08
Jun
Jun
Maldives is looking to open itself to tourists from July 1, with strict safety regulations, as the island country looks to revive its economy. Maldives’ minister of tourism, Ali Waheed, said the country cannot remain closed for long, adding that the industry representatives are working on guidelines to reopen the sector. However, not all countries […]
Asia, News, Top Stories
Singapore Airlines issues guidelines for on-board services, simplifies meal plan
08
Jun
Jun
Singapore Airlines has initiated changes to its on-board meal services, in line with the new pandemic situation. The effort will be to reduce risk of contact for both customers and the crew, to ensure a safe journey. The following are the expected changes: Meal services have been suspended for flights within Southeast Asia and services […]
08
Jun
Jun
Iran’s tourism ministry has said that the country will start hosting foreign travellers by mid-summer, with priority given to guests from neighbouring countries. “Based on our data analysis, Iran will open land borders to neighbours as of July 5 and some of its air borders as of July 22,” Mohammad-Ebrahim Larijani, the director of the […]
06
Jun
Jun
A government panel is stepping up to help debt-ridden Thai Airways pass regulatory and contractual hurdles ahead of the national carrier’s planned debt rehabilitation. According to Prapas Kong, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO), a state-appointed committee following up on the airline’s rehabilitation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, will arrange the […]
Asia, Hotels, News, Top Stories
Hotel reservations, airline bookings at 50% of pre-COVID levels in China
06
Jun
Jun
Hotel bookings in China have returned to about 50% of pre-Covid levels, while airlines resumed operations at more than half of their capacity. China has decided to extend the exemption of value-added taxes for the tourism industry until the end of the year, thereby aiding the speedy recovery of the sector, as part of its […]
05
Jun
Jun
AirAsia has announced that it would waive flight change fees for any new bookings made between June 3 and Oct 31, 2020. In a statement, it said the option is applicable for online bookings on airasia.com for domestic flights within Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and India. “Guests may make an unlimited number of flight […]
05
Jun
Jun
People returned to some of Thailand’s famed sandy beaches this week, maintaining adequate social distancing. The authorities have eased coronavirus restrictions for the first time in more than two months, and tourists were only too happy to take advantage. Local authorities ordered beachgoers to stay at least a metre apart. Not all beaches were closed […]
America, Asia, Aviation, News, Top Stories
US to prevent Chinese airlines from flying into the country, citing travel agreement violations
04
Jun
Jun
The US government has said it will block Chinese airlines from flying into the US in response to what it says is a policy that has prevented US carriers from service between the two countries. The Transportation Department restrictions will take effect June 16 but could be enacted earlier if President Donald Trump decides to […]
03
Jun
Jun
With the spread of coronavirus under control and domestic leisure travel growing, Middle East travel professionals are now looking to China to initiate international tourism. A joint survey conducted by the Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting, China Comfort Travel Group (CCT), and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), was discussed by a panel of experts during the […]
Asia, Europe, News, Round Up
Travel restrictions ease across Mediterranean, western Europe, parts of Asia in a bid to kick-start economy
02
Jun
Jun
Coronavirus induced lockdown restrictions were eased on June 1 across the globe, especially in Asia and Europe, as demand for travel and tourism started to pick up. The Colosseum opened its doors in Rome, golfers played in Greece, students returned in Britain and Dutch bars and restaurants were free to welcome patrons again, news agency […]