Category: Latest Travel News

Putrajaya, Malaysia, August 14, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) has signed an agreement with Malaysia-based analytics and big data company Fusionex to develop ASEANTA Travel Exchange (ATEX), a comprehensive virtual exhibition and engagement platform, to help facilitate an inclusive business environment and provide greater access to new markets.

• Discover the ASEAN Countries with VisitASEAN.org, the platform for accessing the entire tourism sector of the ASEAN Region, go to VisitASEAN.org

By leveraging ATEX to pivot from physical to virtual during this pandemic, ASEANTA will be able to seamlessly improve accessibility, connection and engagement while removing the restrictions of time and space through virtual exhibitions, webinars, digital marketing campaigns, and more.

Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga, president of ASEANTA, said that the collaboration between ASEANTA and Fusionex will help “take tourism in the region to new levels and to firmly establish (South-east Asia) as one of the most viable and attractive tourism destinations in the world”.

Powered by Fusionex technologies, the platform is expected to go live in 4Q2021, offering a suite of innovative solutions to empower ASEANTA in organising virtual events while driving meaningful and measurable online interactions.

The platform offers an intelligent B2B matchmaking feature that connects local enterprises with global businesses, thereby expanding market reach. Travel and tourism players can also leverage the platform’s global distribution system to conduct secure and uninterrupted business transactions.

In addition, the platform enables businesses to showcase their offerings via virtual booths, facilitate pitching sessions through live streaming, provide real-time reporting capabilities as well as performance monitoring and measurement features. It will also allow enterprises to capitalise on AI-powered digital marketing tools to tailor personalised campaigns.

ATEX enables ASEANTA to not only create engaging online events but also generate vital business prospects and develop networking opportunities in a data-driven way.

Nigel Wong, secretary-general at ASEANTA, shared that the association will leverage the platform to organise virtual talks and seminars for its members, with attendees being able to interact with speakers. As well, there will be static travel-related content curated by ASEANTA in a variety of formats.

• Discover the ASEAN Countries with VisitASEAN.org, the platform for accessing the entire tourism sector of the ASEAN Region, go to VisitASEAN.org

The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2022 and its B2B Travex will be hosted by the Cambodian government in Sihanoukville from January 16-22.

Thong Rathasak, chairman of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations and director general for tourism development and international cooperation at Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, shared that the ATF 2022 might take on a hybrid format, but nothing is set in stone yet.

Wong shared that the ATEX would complement the B2B travel exchange component by providing industry players with an extended opportunity to continue leveraging the awareness generated about the ASEAN member countries through the ATF and other similar regional events online.

Munich, Germany, August 12, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Synlab, Europe’s leading medical diagnostic services provider, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a partnership to facilitate safe and easy travel. Today, the two partners signed an agreement to incorporate SYNLAB’s extensive lab network into IATA Travel Pass. This will enable airline passengers to access SYNLAB’s broad and secure COVID-19 testing services, benefiting from its international capabilities. SYNLAB and IATA build upon valuable experience gained during a successful pilot project for passenger testing in Columbia over the course of the past months.

IATA Travel Pass allows passengers to locate authorised laboratories at departure locations to get tested for SARS-CoV-2 as required by border and health authorities. After testing, SYNLAB will provide passengers with their certified test results directly through the IATA Travel Pass. The app checks the result against the IATA Travel Pass registry of national entry requirements to produce an “OK to Travel” status. Through the app passengers can share their status and the digital test certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel.

IATA Travel Pass applies the highest data security standards. Authorised laboratories directly send COVID-19 test results to the passenger’s phone as a verifiable credential. This way, the IATA Travel Pass is a digital solution that also prevents potential forgery of test results.

Mathieu Floreani, CEO of SYNLAB, says: “We are pleased to partner with IATA to make travelling as safe as possible. At a time when people around the world are resuming air travel and different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are spreading, testing remains crucial. Testing is a central pillar in monitoring and controlling the pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus. As the market leader in Europe for PCR testing, we have conducted 18 million PCR tests since the outbreak of the pandemic, underlining our strong expertise in this incredibly relevant field.”

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, says: “Verified COVID-19 testing is critical to restore the freedom to travel for people who are not vaccinated. IATA Travel Pass aims to make it as simple as possible for travellers to locate certified labs and securely receive the test results that governments require for entry. Adding SYNLAB’s extensive lab network will help travellers more easily ensure that they meet their COVID-19 travel requirements.”

SYNLAB has a proven track record of implementing large-scale SARS-CoV-2 testing concepts: as trusted and long-standing medical partner and advisor to national healthcare systems, governmental entities, international companies, and associations. With its network of more than 450 medical laboratories and over 1,600 sample collection points across 36 countries, SYNLAB is dedicated to offer medical excellence with reliable testing services and shortest possible turnaround times.

Brussels, Belgium, August 13, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / SUNx Malta, a legacy program for Maurice Strong, Sustainability and Climate activist half a century ago, promoting Climate Friendly Travel, and Les Roches, one of the world’s leading hospitality business schools, announce the annual Strong Earth Awards which will be presented at the ShiftIn’ Festival on 19th November.

The award is for students interested in a future advancing Climate Friendly Travel – low carbon: SDG linked: Paris 1.5. There will be 6 awards of 500 Euro each donated by Les Roches. They will be given for the best 500-word “thought paper” on:

“Why the Earth Charter is even more important now than when it was introduced by Maurice Strong and Michael Gorbachev in 2005”

The competition has been designed to draw attention to the important sustainability messages contained in the Earth Charter, as well as the vision of the late Maurice Strong and its increasing relevance in today’s Climate challenged world.

For more information on the awards please go to www.thesunprogram.com

Please email entries to awards@thesunprogram.com. Judging will be done by a team of Strong Climate Champions, chaired by Professor Geoffrey Lipman.

Entry is open until October 15th 2021

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of SUNx Malta said “As the latest IPCC Report dramatically makes clear we are running out of time to fix the eXistential Climate Crisis. Only tomorrow’s young leaders will be able to make the tough choices to get us to meet Paris targets. The Earth Charter, conceived by Maurice Strong, is an essential building block for an understanding of Climate Friendly Travel and the resilience needed now. We are delighted to partner with Les Roches, one of the world’s top hospitality business schools to add another dimension to our Climate Friendly Travel education program and to prepare tomorrows Strong Climate Champions for the essential transformation.”

Cairo, Egypt, August 13, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that the Egyptian economy could face daily losses of more than EGP 31 million if it stays on the UK’s travel ‘red list’.

Based on 2019 levels, Egypt’s status as a UK’s ‘red list’ country will pose a significant threat to the nation’s struggling Travel & Tourism sector and overall economy warns WTTC.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

According to pre-pandemic figures, UK visitors represented five per cent of all international inbound arrivals in 2019.

The UK was also the third biggest source market for Egypt, only just behind Germany and Saudi Arabia.

However, WTTC research shows that ‘red list’ restrictions are deterring UK travellers from visiting Egypt.

The global tourism body says this is due to fears over the additional costs incurred on expensive hotel quarantine for 10 days on arrival back in the UK, and expensive COVID-19 tests.

Egypt’s economy could face a drain of more than EGP 237 million each week, equating to more than EGP 1 billion every month.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President and Acting CEO WTTC, said: “Every day Egypt stays on the UK’s ‘red list’, the country’s economy faces losing millions just from the lack of UK visitors alone. This policy is incredibly restrictive and damaging as travellers from Egypt also face mandatory hotel quarantine at a huge cost. 

“The UK’s government decision to add Egypt to its ‘red list’ has a massive impact not only on the nation’s economy, but also the many thousands of ordinary Egyptians who rely upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector for their livelihoods.

“The UK’s vaccine rollout has proved incredibly successful with more than three quarters of the adult population double jabbed, and 59% of the total population fully vaccinated. The likelihood is that anyone travelling to Egypt would be fully inoculated and therefore pose minor risk. 

“Our data shows just how important Travel & Tourism is to the country, and how critical it is for the Egyptian government to ramp up the vaccination rollout if it is to have any chance of recovering this vital sector, which is fundamental to the country’s economic recovery.”

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

WTTC research shows the dramatic impact COVID-19 has had on the Egyptian Travel & Tourism sector, with its contribution to the national GDP falling from EGP 505 billion (8.8%) in 2019, to just EGP 227.5 billion (3.8%) in 2020.

The report also shows in 2020, as the pandemic ripped through the heart of the sector, 844,000 Travel & Tourism jobs were lost across the country.

Danang, Vietnam, August 11, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / An exciting and exclusive new art experience is ready to open at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort! The Bensley Outsider Gallery will feature a collection of original works of art by internationally renowned architect and designer, Bill Bensley, which can be viewed and purchased by in-house guests and outside visitors alike.

Located at the Sky Level of the resort, the Bensley Outsider Gallery is a naturally-lit pavilion in a cobblestone courtyard. It will house 50 colourful and bold artworks, including prints and paintings. Visitors can also hear the story behind each artwork through a unique interactive storytelling approach that uses QR codes and YouTube videos.

Upon opening, the Bensley Outsider Gallery at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort will become Vietnam’s first and only Bill Bensley gallery.

“Bill Bensley has enjoyed a long relationship with our resort; he designed it and continues to do so as we change and evolve,” said Seif Hamdy, General Manager of InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. “The Bensley Outsider Gallery is a fantastic opportunity to showcase his artworks to our guests and the public. We are proud to house his only gallery in Vietnam; this adds another exceptional new experience for our guests – one of a number that we will be introducing in the coming year,” he added.

Bill Bensley is a highly-acclaimed architect, interior designer and landscape architect who has created some of Asia’s most iconic hotels and resorts. He took up painting just three years ago and the gallery’s name, “Outsider”, reflects his feeling that he is not a classically trained artist – he considers himself an outsider in the art world.

While he feels like an outsider however, Bill Bensley is certainly a talented artist. His Fauvist style of painting bursts with bright and beautiful colours, delightful forms and a touch of humour. He also strives to incorporate his trademark gift of storytelling into each piece.

Visitors will be able to purchase the featured artworks, with prices starting from USD 250. Passionate about wildlife protection, Bill will donate proceeds from his art sales to wildlife charities, including those dedicated to combating poaching in Southeast Asia.

The Bensley Outsider Gallery will be officially unveiled upon the reopening of InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, when conditions allow. It will be open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Wednesdays through Sundays, and no appointment is necessary.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is located on the spectacular natural preserve of the Son Tra Peninsula, north of Danang City, Vietnam. Designed by Bill Bensley, it is considered one of Asia’s most prestigious beach resorts.

Geneva, Switzerland, August 10, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, comments on today’s release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.

The forest fires and floods of recent weeks delivered a clear language. And so does the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report: we need to cut the carbon in our atmosphere now.

Extreme heat is not a future problem. It is already here. 2010 to 2019 was the hottest decade ever recorded, and temperatures will continue to rise unless dramatic action is taken.

Industry is responsible for nearly a third of global emissions.

And that’s why the World Economic Forum is bringing together businesses and governments to ensure that we move further and faster.

Over 100 CEO Climate Leaders are setting ambitious carbon commitments and are calling on governments to act.

We are working with over 400 global companies to cut emissions in tough areas like shipping, construction, and aviation.

Through our Tropical Forest Alliance and 1T.org platforms – we are halting deforestation.

There is even a business case to do the right thing: Cutting carbon emissions can create nearly 400 million jobs and $10 trillion dollars of business value by 2030.

We cannot stop fighting the fires and the floods, but we must act to give the future a fighting chance.

London, United Kingdom, August 11, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) says the government should bear the cost of hugely expensive and unnecessary PCR tests for fully jabbed citizens, which are deterring Britons from travelling.

Over the weekend, the UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid requested the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) step in to investigate ‘excessive’ pricing and ‘exploitative practices’ among PCR Covid test firms.

This follows widespread reports of vast differences paid by travellers for PCR tests by different companies.

Currently, the cost of PCR tests vary enormously between providers, with the average costing around £75. However, some firms are offering express PCR test results within 90 minutes at a cost of up to £400.

This makes UK PCR tests among the costliest in Europe – partly due to the 20 per cent VAT charge applied on top.

Now WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, says it’s time the government stepped up to pay for people’s PCR tests in full if they are fully jabbed.

This would remove the huge financial burden, which is depressing demand for travel, effectively halting the revival of international travel.

Genomic sequencing data from PCR tests is harvested by the government to rapidly identify variants of concern, understand transmission and slow the spread, however WTTC challenges why consumers should have to pay for this.

The global tourism body believes if the government won’t pick up the bill for PCR tests, it should at the very least replace the need for PCR Day two tests from green and amber countries with affordable and effective antigen tests, for fully vaccinated travellers. As in other countries, only those testing positive should need to take a PCR test.

Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President and Acting CEO, said: “For many people – especially families and small businesses on a budget – the crippling added cost of the unnecessary PCR tests makes the difference between being able to travel or not.

“It’s clear that many British adults simply can’t afford to travel overseas at all if they have to pay the excessive cost of PCR tests.

“More affordable antigen tests, with PCR tests for those who do test positive, will help keep travellers safe and make taking a trip overseas within the budget of most people.

“But if the government wants extra information for genomic sequencing – they should pay for it. If they don’t pay, then consumers will vote with their feet and avoid international travel altogether, further damaging the already struggling UK Travel & Tourism sector.

“At the very least, we support the investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to look into the excessive pricing of PCR tests which is deterring the revival of international travel.

“But unless the government sees sense and accepts the financial responsibility for PCR tests for the fully vaccinated, WTTC fears the UK Travel & Tourism sector is going to continue to buckle while demand for travel remains depressed.”

According to research by WTTC knowledge partner, YouGov, carried out earlier this summer*, almost half of British adults (47 per cent) viewed the financial costs of COVID-19 tests as a main barrier to international travel.

The research also found worries over the cost of tests were placed even ahead of personal health concerns, which came in at 34 per cent.

Meanwhile, more than half (53 per cent) of British adults said the cost of PCR testing will make a significant impact on their budget if they were to travel abroad this year.

Last week WTTC also called upon the UK government to abandon the confusing and damaging traffic light system and replace it with green and red list categories.

These more easily understandable rules, for double-jabbed and unvaccinated travellers, would let consumers know exactly where they stand to make informed decisions about where to travel.

WTTC says under its plans, returning UK visitors would only need an affordable antigen test, with additional costly PCR tests reserved for those who tested positive.

Unvaccinated visitors would continue to take a test on departure, as well as a PCR test on Day two of their return.

WTTC has helped to spearhead the coordinated international response to the impact of the pandemic upon the global Travel & Tourism sector – which has so far cost 62 million jobs in the sector and suffered a loss of almost US$4.3 trillion.

London, United Kingdom, August 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council has called upon the UK government to abandon the confusing and damaging traffic light system and replace it with a simpler and easier to understand list of green and red countries.

WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, says the move would, at a stroke, simplify a system which has become steadily discredited over recent months.

The current scheme has left both holidaymakers and businesses wrong footed, out of pocket and has eroded consumer confidence to travel.

Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President and Acting CEO, said: “It’s time the government removed the ambiguity by abandoning the confusing and damaging traffic light system and replacing it with a simple system with green and red categories and clear rules for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, so travellers know exactly where they stand. 

“While the rhetoric has changed to a more positive note, what we need is action.

“We need to provide clarity across the UK Travel & Tourism sector, which has been crying out for the present highly unpredictable system to be dropped, having brought international travel from the UK to its knees.

“The UK should now open its doors not just to fully vaccinated travellers from the US and the EU, but to double-jabbed visitors from all over the world too – showing we’re open for business and ready to welcome all safe travellers.”

WTTC says the government needs to significantly widen the green list so fully-vaccinated UK citizens can get their right back to travel safely around the world and welcome leisure and business travellers alike.

Returning UK visitors also need the day two PCR test to be replaced with an easy-to-use antigen test, like in other countries, with PCR tests only for positive cases.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated visitors should continue needing to take a test on departure, as well as a PCR test on Day 2 of their return.

WTTC urges coordination with and reciprocity from other countries so that the rules are applied equally and fairly to ensure maximum ease of international mobility for travellers.

The global tourism body believes that re-establishing the freedom of movement around the world is essential to ensure international coordination at every level, underpinned by a data driven, risk-based approach.

Harmonisation would restore international mobility, reduced protocols for vaccinated travellers, the importance of global vaccine recognition, as well as the adoption of ‘digital health passes’.

WTTC says the restoration of safe international travel could be achieved by following its four fundamental guidelines to restore international mobility while safeguarding public health:

• Appropriately reduced protocols for vaccinated travellers, including no need for testing or quarantine for those fully vaccinated. Global recognition for international travel of all vaccines authorised for use and deemed safe and effective by the WHO or by the WHO recognised SRAs.
• A data driven, risk-based and internationally harmonised approach to re-establishing freedom of movement, that is consistent across countries, easy to communicate and clearly understood by travellers.
• Global adoption of ‘digital health passes’ which enable travellers to easily obtain and verify their vaccination status, negative COVID test result or natural immunity from a previous infection. These must work with existing border control and travel operator systems accepted by all countries. Digital verification of a traveller’s COVID status prior to travel will avoid lengthy and unsafe queues in transport hubs and terminals.
• Continued implementation of high-quality health and safety standards throughout all areas of the Travel & Tourism sector, including continued adoption of the WTTC’s Safe Travel Protocols and Safe Travel Stamp, with the continued wearing of face masks in crowded and enclosed areas, as well as on all forms of public transport.

WTTC advocates the full implementation of these proportionate and responsible guidelines for travel over the next few months, as many travel restrictions begin easing and major travel markets begin to reopen.

Singapore, Singapore, August 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Standard, a hip hotel brand with locations in the U.S., U.K. and Maldives, is expanding into key markets in Asia with the announcement of The Standard, Singapore on Orange Grove Road.

The Standard, Singapore, slated to open in 2023, represents the latest destination for the brand in Southeast Asia, following The Standard, Hua Hin, set to open in November 2021, and The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, which will open in 2022.

The hotel in Singapore will house 143 rooms, along with an infinity pool and a pool bar set within a lush botanical courtyard.

“Singapore is a culturally rich and dynamic city that is ready to embrace the creativity and personality of The Standard,” said Standard International Chief Executive Officer, Amar Lalvani. “Singapore has emerged into an incredibly important and innovative hub in Asia and we couldn’t be more excited about this development. New hotel licenses in the city are rare and highly coveted and we feel very fortunate to partner with Invictus Developments to bring this project to life. Although the global travel dynamics remain challenging at the moment, we continue to build landmark projects around the world in anticipation of a brighter future.”

The hotel will be developed by Invictus Developments, a boutique real estate investment company owned by the family of Indonesian businessman Bachtiar Karim. “We are delighted to bring The Standard into Singapore. They are known for pushing boundaries and challenging norms which reflect our values. Their unconventional and offbeat approach will bring a differentiated experience to the current offerings in the vicinity,” said Chayadi Karim, principal of Invictus Developments.

Krabi, Thailand, Augsut 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to reiterate that both the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus programmes are going ahead as usual, and the plans to reopen Krabi and Phang Nga to fully vaccinated international tourists are set to start within August.

Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Spokesperson of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA), said the Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had been keeping a close watch on the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus programmes, and voiced confidence in the plans to revive the economy through tourism by gradually reopening destinations that could ensure the health and safety of both the tourists and local people.

The new COVID-19 cases in Phuket were cited as mostly detected among locals, construction camp workers and domestic travellers with only a small number of cases found among international arrivals.

From 1 July until 1 August, 2021, Phuket recorded 14,910 international arrivals under the Sandbox programme. Of these, 34 tested positive for COVID-19 and had been sent for medical treatment.

To contain local transmission, Phuket has stepped up screening measures on domestic travellers, effective from 3-16 August, 2021. The measures are only meant to prevent the spread of the disease from other Thai provinces, while international arrivals under the Sandbox programme can still enter Phuket per the existing rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, the recent report of 54 new cases on Ko Samui from a restaurant cluster has been brought under control, and that none of the infections were related to foreign tourists under the Samui Plus programme or those who continued their journey from the Phuket Sandbox programme.

From 15 July to 1 August, Surat Thani recorded 137 international arrivals under the Samui Plus programme, with 1 person testing positive for COVID-19. In addition, there were 211 tourists from the Phuket Sandbox programme.

Surat Thani also stepped up COVID-19 control measures, effective from the last week of July until further notice, to safeguard the ‘Samui Plus’ model.

Krabi and Phang Nga are scheduled to reopen selected areas within this month under a 7+7 model. This will allow foreign tourists under the Sandbox programme to reduce the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to 7 days, after which another 7 nights can be spent in Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, and Railay Beach), and Phang Nga (Khao Lak and Ko Yao).

The 7+7 model aims to provide international tourists with more options to visit multiple destinations during their trip to Thailand. Krabi and Phang Nga are ideal for this given their proximity to and ease of access from Phuket.

For Phang Nga, Khao Lak can be reached within 1.5 hours by car, while Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai can be reached within 30-40 minutes by boat from Bang Rong Pier.

For Krabi, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai and Railay Beach can be reached within 45-55 minutes from Rassada Pier.

Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga are declared among the 11 Controlled Areas or orange zone provinces in Thailand’s expansion of the COVID-19 restrictions from 3-31 August, 2021.