Tag: corona virus crisis

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 business in the beautiful Austrian capital. Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, set Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel in motion again, along with Nora Lamac, whose family has operated the Giant Ferris Wheel for generations. Vienna is gradually opening shops, bars, restaurants and museums, as well as ... Read more

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). Another $52 billion is from commercial sources including commercial loans ($23 billion), capital market debt ($18 billion), debt from new operating leases ($5 billion) and accessing existing credit facilities ($6 billion). “Government aid is helping to keep the industry afloat. The next challenge will be ... Read more

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 financial aid announced around the world, including $26 billion in the Asia Pacific region,” said Alexandre De Juniac, director general, IATA in a webinar organised by CAPA India. Juniac said that there is likely to be a 47% decline in passengers carried by India’s airlines ... Read more

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. “Almost all air intake ports of the aircraft will be prone to ingestion in large numbers, if the aircraft flies through a swarm.” The circular said that though a single locust is small in size, the pilot’s forward vision can be impeded if large numbers ... Read more

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 period of introspection for many, as they finally got the time to rediscover themselves. In this regard, ATTOI in association with Tourismnewslive.com, would like to undertake a survey among its key stakeholders and individuals, asking them about their experiences during lockdown. The survey is sure ... Read more

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 nations which have fattened the coronavirus curve to travel to America. Trump said travellers coming from countries with low Covid-19 risk profiles will be given the green light. “Where they’re starting to make some progress, we’ll open it up. But only where they’re making progress.” ... Read more

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 be paid for by the Madeira Government. Madeira is focused on positioning itself as a COVID-safe destination and are working with SGS, the world leader in certification, to ensure good practice across the destination to minimise risk in the wake of Covid-19. The certification process ... Read more

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 world would gradually open their borders from August. UNWTO forecasts published in early May suggested that the number of tourists worldwide could fall by between 60-80% in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. The agency suggested that so-called air corridors allowing tourists to travel ... Read more

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 suspension of domestic flights, in order to ensure a safe travel journey for travellers through Saudi airports while taking all necessary health measures.” The resumption of flights will take place in stages. The first stage includes 11 airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medinah, Qassim, Abha, ... Read more

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 requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to reduce the number of flights, emanating from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to Karnataka, in view of the high number of Covid-19 cases prevalent there.” The minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, J C Madhuswamy, has ... Read more

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, we will not be able to behave as usual,” she said. “It’s health. It’s making sure that we do not import cases as we are trying to control the cases we have in the country. It’s very prudent management on our side to make sure ... Read more

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 the country, especially in times of crises, and a financial package will not only help the flag carrier but also the entire aviation sector and the economy. “We thank you for the financial package of Rs 20 lakh crores to boost industry and the economy. ... Read more

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 as revenues plummeted. But in the past two weeks, job listings at Marriott International saw their first spike since March. The jump in job listings is certainly telling, but the types of jobs Marriott is hiring for, show early signs of international travel for an ... Read more

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 interests as well. Crossing the border is also possible for all tourists who have valid reservations for accommodation or boat charter. That tourism is slowly returning to Croatia is also clear from the tourist traffic recorded during the first week since the entry of foreign ... Read more

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 the President. It was the Task Force that recommended re-opening of the airports for foreign tourists, as the country gradually returns to normalcy. President Rajapaksa highlighted the necessity of following health guidelines issued by international and local health experts in the event of opening the ... Read more