Tag Archives: corona virus crisis

Vienna’s Ferris Wheel turns again, as business normalcy returns

Vienna

The Giant Ferris Wheel – synonymous with Vienna and tourism – which had been turning without interruption since the end of World War II was switched off for the first time in 75 years in mid-March due to COVID-19. But on Friday, the wheels were made to turn again, signalling the rekindling of life and […]

Rising airline industry debt may crush its speedy recovery

flights

The global airline industry’s debt could rise by $120 billion to $550 billion by year-end, with the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc in the sector. An International Air Transport Association (IATA) analysis showed that $67 billion of the new debt is composed of government loans ($50 billion), deferred taxes ($5 billion) and loan guarantees ($12 billion). […]

IATA feels let down by India’s decision not to provide financial aid for aviation industry

IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has slammed the Indian government for announcing a stimulus package that had virtually nothing for the country’s struggling aviation industry. The international airline lobby found it disappointing that the Indian government’s Rs 20 lakh crore relief package for industries, ignored aviation. “Compare that to the $123 billion in government […]

DGCA instructs airlines to be wary of locust invasions

DGCA

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) warned on Friday that swarms of locusts could pose serious danger to flights during take-off and landing. “Generally, locusts are found at lower levels and therefore pose a threat to aircraft in the critical landing and take-off phase of the flight,” the aviation regulator noted in its circular. […]

ATTOI in association with Tourism News Live to conduct survey on post-lockdown travel & tourism

ATTOI Tourism News Live

The coronavirus pandemic which has devasted the global economy by eroding millions of jobs, has resulted in worldwide lockdowns affecting freedom of movement. This has led to severe impact on business and industry, affecting the mental health of people as humanity grappled with the threat of the deadly pandemic. The lockdown period has been a […]

Trump says tourists from low risk countries can travel to US soon

USA arizona

President Donald Trump has said US will soon open up to travellers arriving from low-risk countries in Europe and elsewhere. Trump’s travel ban put on hold 26 European countries as well as the UK and Ireland, since March 13. With US deciding to ease the restrictions, it will now be possible for people from select […]

Madeira and Porto Santo open to foreign tourists from July 1

Madeira tourism

Starting July 1, Madeira and Porto Santo will be fully open to international travellers. To ensure security for both tourists and residents, all people travelling to the islands will have to either present a health test done 72 hours prior to departure or be tested upon arrival, without any costs. COVID-19 tests on arrival will […]

International tourism to see 70% fall in arrivals this year: UNWTO

UNWTO

International tourism is set to fall by 70% this year, marking the sector’s biggest slump in arrivals since records began in the 1950s, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has said. In an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt, Pololikashvili said this prediction was based on the assumption that countries around the […]

Saudi Arabia to start domestic flights from Sunday

Al Abrar Mecca

Saudi Arabia has announced that domestic flights throughout the kingdom would resume from Sunday. As the COVID-19 crisis eases, the suspension of flights will be lifted in stages to include all domestic destinations within two weeks. The Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said, “We have completed operational preparations to gradually lift the […]

Karnataka wants limited flights from states with high prevalence of coronavirus cases

hampi karnataka

The Karnataka government on Thursday said it has asked for restrictions on the number of flights from five states, namely Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. There is no ban on flights from these states, the government clarified. In a press release late on Thursday evening, the government said, “The state government has […]

Spain ready to welcome European visitors, in phased opening of tourism sector

balearic islands spain

Spain usually welcomes more than 80 million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited countries in the world. But it has been hard hit by the coronavirus crisis and wants to be cautious as it opens to visitors from July 1, Gonzalez Laya told Reuters. “In this very atypical year of 2020, […]

Air India employee unions seek Rs 50,000 crore from govt as financial war chest

Air INDIA

A joint forum of Air India employees and staff unions has sought from the Central government a Rs 50,000 crore financial package for the national carrier, stating that the airline is a necessity for the country. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Joint Forum said that Air India is a “necessity” for […]

Marriott posts new job listings, as market awakens in China

JW Marriott Hotel Zhejiang Anji china

Marriott International has begun to add job listings on recruitment websites, in an early sign of recovery from an international lockdown that has devastated the global hotel industry. Most of the jobs listed, are for the Chinese market. In March, as the Coronavirus pandemic set in, the hospitality industry put a complete stop on hiring […]

Croatia sees international tourism bloom again, as Slovenian guests arrive

croatia

Croatia has started to open its borders for tourists, following the improved epidemiological situation in the country. Entry into the country is permitted to all owners of real estate and vessels, who can confirm their ownership when crossing the border with appropriate documentation. Entry is allowed to any person with proven economic or other business […]

Sri Lanka to reopen Bandaranaike airport from August 1

sri lanka

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will be reopened from August 1, with adequate safeguards. He said issues facing the tourism industry as well as measures necessary for a quick revival came up for discussion when the Task Force Committee entrusted with COVID-19 control met under the patronage of […]