Category: Latest Travel News

Madrid, Spain, April 15, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will continue to build on its successful partnership with the Spanish ONCE Foundation and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT). The three parties have agreed to extend their partnership agreement for a further four years to ensure that their work to improve accessibility, in every part of the tourism value chain, continues during and beyond the pandemic.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The joint work will continue to focus on the promotion of good practices during the current crisis, the application of standards, the measurement of accessible tourism, as well as labour inclusion and institutional disability inclusive policies. The three partners are currently collecting success stories of destinations and companies which have adopted new sanitary protocols to facilitate access to travel and tourism for all, including both residents and visitors. In line with the key UNWTO Recommendations released early on during the pandemic, the Accessibility Champions initiative is still open for submissions illustrating how the guidelines to restart tourism without imposing new obstacles are being successfully implemented. The most outstanding cases will be promoted by the partners through an e-publication and webinars.

The three partners are also committed to raising awareness of the forthcoming ISO Standard on Tourism for All. All three have worked with the International Standardization Organization (ISO) on the new requirements and recommendations. The ISO standard will represent a milestone, being the first global standard aimed at implementing and improving accessibility throughout the tourism value chain.

The awareness-raising work will sensitize institutions, governments and service providers  o the importance of accessibility for all and inclusion. It will make clear that this is not only a question of human rights and equal opportunities, but also a major competitive advantage for destinations and the private sector.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

UNWTO, the ONCE Foundation and ENAT jointly state: “Accessibility for all is about service quality, innovation and comfort for all tourists, new sources of revenue and new clients with disabilities, seniors and families with young children, among many other individuals, with specific access requirements. By adopting Universal Design principles in the development of environments and services, the tourism sector can fulfil its moral responsibility and, in many countries, legal obligations to cater to those with specific requirements, making tourism for all a reality.”

Huravalhi Island, Maldives, April 14, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Lending itself naturally to social distancing where one can truly unwind in spacious outdoor environments in a ‘one island, one resort’ setup, the Maldives has always been a dream vacation choice for most travellers. If you have been visualising a tropical luxury scene of embracing pure white shores lined with swaying palms, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has presented yet even more reasons why a Maldives escape is balm for the soul.

• Will Anantara Kihavah Villas make it into the World’s Best Luxury Hotels by Hotel Rating Index at Top25Hotels.com?.

A promise of great adventures awaits with the resort’s ‘Best of Maldives’ stay package. Discover a trio of experiences designed to awaken wanderlust; snorkelling with majestic manta rays, stargazing at the only over water observatory in the Maldives, and fine dining underwater at SEA, the world’s first oceanic restaurant and wine cellar.

Berlin, Germany, April 13, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council’s annual Economic Impact Report (EIR) today reveals that the dramatic collapse of Germany’s Travel & Tourism sector has wiped out €161 billion from the nation’s economy.

COVID-19 sparks a dramatic 46.9% collapse in the sector’s contribution to GDP. More than 440,000 jobs lost, while many more remain protected by the Kurzarbeit scheme. However, the return of international travel this year could see GDP contribution rise sharply and jobs return

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

The annual EIR from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, shows the sector’s contribution to GDP dropped 46.9%.

The sector’s impact on Germany’s GDP fell from €344 billion (9.8%) in 2019 before the pandemic struck, to €183 billion (5.5%), just 12 months later, in 2020.

The year of damaging travel restrictions which brought much of international travel to a grinding halt, resulted in the loss of 441,000 Travel & Tourism jobs across the country.

However, WTTC believes the true picture could be significantly worse, if not for government’s job-saving Kurzarbeit, a scheme which offered a short-term lifeline to businesses and workers, however hiding the real extent of the losses and the devastating social impact they could bring.

These job losses were felt across the entire Travel & Tourism ecosystem in the country, with SMEs, which make up eight out of 10 of all global businesses in the sector, particularly affected.

Furthermore, as one of the world’s most diverse sectors, the impact on women, youth and minorities was significant.

The number of those employed in the German Travel & Tourism sector fell from 5.87 million in 2019, to 5.43 million in 2020 – a drop of 7.5%.

The report also revealed domestic visitor spending declined by 47.3%, while international spending fared even worse, due to more stringent travel restrictions, causing a fall of 57.9%.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO WTTC, said: “The loss of more than 440,000 Travel & Tourism jobs across Germany has had a devastating socio-economic impact, leaving huge numbers of people fearing for their future.

“However, the situation could have been far worse if it were not for the government’s prompt action, reintroducing its incredible Kurzarbeit scheme to save millions of jobs under threat and helped to halt the total collapse of the Travel & Tourism sector.

“After a slow and frustrating start, there are now grounds for optimism if Germany’s vaccine rollout continues at pace, with family doctors across the country now beginning to administer jabs to the general public.

“With more people vaccinated, a clear roadmap for increased mobility and, the likelihood of relaxed restrictions for travel from countries outside of the EU with comprehensive testing on departure in place just before the busy summer season, we predict the 441,000 jobs lost in Germany could return by the end of this year.

“However, the government’s bold and courageous move to protect jobs is not sustainable in the long-term. We know tens of thousands of SMEs, which make up the bulk of the ailing Travel & Tourism sector, are still fighting for their survival, putting at risk the capacity of the country to recover from the crushing impact of COVID-19.

“WTTC believes that another year of terrible losses can be avoided if the government supports the swift resumption of international travel, which will be vital to powering the turnaround of the Germany economy.

“Our research shows that if mobility and international travel resumes by June this year, the sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP, could reach the same levels of 2019 by 2022.”

WTTC says the key to unlocking safe international travel can be achieved through a clear and science-based framework to reopen international travel.

All non-vaccinated travellers should face a comprehensive testing regime before departure, as well as enhanced health and hygiene protocols, including mandatory mask wearing.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

Whilst the German government has previously expressed concerns surrounding the European Commission’s Digital Green Certificate, which would display a traveller’s COVID-19 status, WTTC believes such a pass would further enable safe international travel.

These measures would be the foundation to build the recovery of the many millions of jobs lost due to the pandemic.

It would also reduce the terrible social implications these losses have had on communities dedicated to Travel & Tourism and upon ordinary people who have been isolated by COVID-19 restrictions.

London, United Kingdom, April 12, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council’s annual Economic Impact Report (EIR) today reveals that the dramatic collapse of the UK’s Travel & Tourism sector has wiped out a staggering £148 billion from the UK economy.

Impact of COVID-19 sparks a 62.3% collapse in the sectors GDP. More than 300,000 jobs lost, while many more remain sustained by furlough schemes. However, the return of international travel this year could see GDP contribution rise sharply and jobs return.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Press Releases here.

The annual EIR from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, shows the sector’s contribution to GDP, dropped by a precipitous 62.3%.

Travel & Tourism GDP fell from £238 billion (10.1%) in 2019 before the pandemic struck, to just £90 billion (4.2%), a mere 12 months later, in 2020.

The year of crippling travel restrictions, and ineffective quarantines, which have  brought international travel to a grinding halt, has resulted in the loss of 307,000 Travel & Tourism jobs across the country.

However, WTTC believes the true picture could be significantly worse, if not for government fiscal and liquidity incentives, as well as furlough and job protection schemes which across all sectors is currently protecting more than 11 million jobs, hiding the true extent of the losses and the devastating social impact they could bring.

According to latest figures*, the UK government is estimated to have spent more than £46 billion on job retention schemes, with that figure expected to rise to £80 billion by the time the programs end in October 2021.

These job losses were felt across the entire UK Travel & Tourism ecosystem, with SMEs, which make up eight out of 10 of all businesses in the sector, particularly affected. Furthermore, as one of the world’s most diverse sectors, the impact on women, youth and minorities was significant.

The number of those employed in the UK Travel & Tourism sector tumbled from 4.27 million in 2019, to 3.96 million in 2020 –  a fall of 7.2%.

The report also revealed domestic visitor spending declined by 63.2% due to nationwide lockdowns, while international spending fared even worse, because of stringent travel restrictions, ineffective quarantines and constantly changing government policies, causing a fall of 71.6%.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO WTTC, said: “The loss of more than 300,000 Travel & Tourism jobs across the UK has had a devastating socio-economic impact, leaving huge numbers of people fearing for their future.

“But the situation could have been far worse if it were not for the government’s prompt action, which introduced job retention schemes to save millions of jobs under threat and helped to halt the total collapse of the Travel & Tourism sector.

“There are grounds for optimism if the UK’s world-leading vaccine rollout continues at pace and travel restrictions are relaxed just before the busy summer season – alongside a clear roadmap for increased mobility. With all these factors in place, WTTC predicts the 300,000 Travel & Tourism jobs lost in the UK could return this year.

“Our concern is that the government’s courageous move to protect jobs is not sustainable in the long-term. We know tens of thousands of SMEs, which make up the bulk of the embattled Travel & Tourism sector, are still fighting for their survival, putting at risk the capacity of the country to recover from the crushing impact of COVID-19.

“WTTC believes that another year of terrible losses can be avoided if the government supports the swift resumption of international travel, which will be vital to powering the turnaround of the UK economy.

“Our research shows that if  mobility and international travel resumes by June this year, the sector’s contribution to global GDP could rise sharply in 2021, by 48.5%, year-on-year.”

WTTC says the key to unlocking safe international travel can be achieved through a clear and science-based framework to reopen international travel.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Press Releases here.

All non-vaccinated travellers should face a comprehensive testing regime before departure, as well as enhanced health and hygiene protocols, including mandatory mask wearing. Digital health passes, such as the European Commission’s Digital Green Certificate, would display a traveller’s COVID-19 status, which would further enable safe international travel.

These measures would be the foundation to build the recovery of the many millions of jobs lost due to the pandemic and reduce the terrible social implications these losses have had on communities dedicated to Travel & Tourism and upon ordinary people who have been isolated by COVID-19 restrictions.

Malaga, Spain, April 12, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / World’s largest global network of Tourism Professionals dedicating the entire month of April 2021 for Skål Celebrations and Doing Business Among Friends in the Travel and Tourism Industry.

First Skål club was established in 1932 in Paris, France. After its foundation, the club was promoted by the friendship between a group of Parisian Travel Agents who several transport companies invited to present a new aircraft destined for the Amsterdam-Copenhagen-Malmo flight.

The idea of international friendship between Tourism Professionals grew, and by early 1934 there were already 12 clubs formed in five countries. It was then that the idea arose to create a partnership that brings together all the clubs, to foster goodwill and friendship in the Travel and Transport sectors around the World.

The ‘Association Internationale des Skål Clubs’ (AISC) was established on April 28th, 1934, at the Hotel Scribe in Paris, in a General Assembly composed of 21 delegates, representatives of 11 clubs, plus two observers from London, who together elected Executive Committee, under the chairmanship of Florimond Volckaert.

Since then, April 28th has been celebrated around the globe as World Skål Day. Today, Skål International is present in over 100 countries with over 335 clubs and almost 13,000 members.

“Our founding fathers had a vision of a strong, connected tourism industry built on friendship to promote travel amongst member countries. This was the basic value of Skål, the ties that bind us together, and they are as important today as they were in our infancy.” Said Bill Rheaume, Skål International World President, 2021.

At its 89th Anniversary, Skål International World President Bill Rheaume and the Executive Board have decided to dedicate the entire month of April for Skål, ‘Doing Business Among Friends’ celebrations. As traveling and person meeting restrictions continue, the clubs are invited to celebrate and showcase their club and their city via online Zoom meetings.

Over 25 clubs from 25 different cities worldwide will be showcasing their destination during 60-minute presentations booked throughout April. The online meeting schedule is posted on Skål International website and social media platforms. All meetings dedicated to Skål International celebrations will be open to public participation in April 2021.

“I am thrilled to see clubs accept the challenge of celebrating Skal Month celebrations,” added Bill Rheaume, Skål International World President, 2021.

The initial kick-off meeting for the Skål Month Celebrations will take place on April 6th at 15.00 pm CET where the Executive Board will host the global membership on a special Zoom meeting led by Skål International World President Bill Rheaume and Skål International CEO Daniela Otero to conduct the famous Skål toast in three official languages.

“To address the current challenges facing the tourism sector, we must nurture our rich history as an organization. Skal International, with its nine decades of experience in the sector, with partners who possess valuable expertise, and use our global Skål network, continues to address today’s challenges and forge a better future,” said Daniela Otero, CEO, Skål International.

Skål International is the world’s largest global network of Tourism Professionals promoting Tourism, Business, and Friendship worldwide since 1934. Its members are Directors and Executives of the Tourism sector who relate to each other to address common interest issues, improving a business network, and promoting destinations.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 12, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has again convened its Global Tourism Crisis Committee to lead the sector in harmonizing travel and health protocols and securing vital financing for businesses struggling to survive an historic crisis.

The ninth meeting of the Crisis Committee advanced solutions to the biggest challenges standing in the way of international travel returning.

Committee members, drawn from political leadership, international organizations, including UNWTO’s sister UN agencies, finance and the private sector, discussed the Crisis Committee’s Recommendations, which focus on four core areas: the resumption of safe, cross-border travel; promoting safe travel at all points of the tourist journey; providing liquidity to tourism businesses and protecting jobs, and restoring confidence in travel.

The virtual meeting was co-hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Opening the proceedings, the Minister for Tourism, His Excellency Ahmad bin Aqil Al Kateeb, said: “Saudi Arabia has been collaborating with partners across the public and private sectors both regionally and globally to accelerate the resumption of international travel. The facilitation of safe and seamless travel is the only way to restore confidence among travelers and tourism businesses, which will ultimately be the drivers of the sector’s recovery.”

Harmonized protocols and building confidence

The Committee backed the proposed EU Digital Green Pass as an example of joined-up protocols for other regions to follow. Addressing the meeting, EU Vice President Margaritis Schinas said that “we can make summer 2021 the beginning of the post-pandemic era, one that is safer, more sustainable, more resilient and more prosperous”. He stressed that “the tourism sector can – and should – be at the forefront of this effort, leading the recovery of the European and the global economy”.

Mr. Schinas also outlined the work being done to raise consumer confidence in tourism, already devastated by issues surrounding cancelling and refunding travel services and noted: “UNWTO’s efforts to develop an International Code for the Protection of Tourists are most welcome”. The landmark legal code is one of several key UNWTO initiatives aimed at restoring confidence in international travel.

Also at the Committee, UNWTO and IATA (the International Air Transport Association) announced the forthcoming launch of a new Destination Tracker. This tool will be available on the websites of both organizations and provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on the restrictions and requirements of airlines and destinations, allowing tourists to make informed choices.

Recommendations for Recovery

The Recommendations of the UNWTO Global Tourism Crisis Committee highlight the importance of basing policies on current international health and aviation regulations, including but not limited to provisions from the World Health Organization (WHO) and those the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), most notably its ‘Take Off’ guidance and the work of its Civil Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART). The Recommendations also call for the creation of Public Health Corridors, the implementation of digital health solutions and the development of a common “traffic-light” system as a recognizable risk management framework. In presenting the Recommendations,  the Minister of Tourism of Greece and Chair of the UNWTO Crisis Committee’s Technical Group, Harry Theoharis, said that ”this year we have more tools in our arsenal, including vaccinations, to address all concerns of travellers and people employed in the tourism sector.”

Financing tourism’s survival

Through the Global Tourism Crisis Committee, UNWTO also advanced on its work addressing one of the other key challenges facing global tourism, namely the sudden halt of tourism cash flow and the need to support businesses and protect jobs. Along with ICAO and the WHO, UNWTO is one of the only UN agencies working with the OECD on its International Mobility Initiative. UNWTO is also working closely with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

OECD and EBRD again contributed to the latest meeting of the Crisis Committee, advancing coordinated efforts to both support tourism businesses through the current crisis and also to build future resilience and achieve greater sustainability, including through promoting green investments in the sector. Also updating the Committee were the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), with their representatives focusing in particular on the potential role of innovation, green investments in tourism and on supporting businesses, now and during the recovery phase.

Wakayama, Japan, April 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D) has achieved the ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status.

The Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D) which is based on the GSTC Criteria for Destinations, was developed by Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism during 2019. JSTS-D consists of 47 criteria with added Japan-specific features. The standard development committee consisted of academia, UNWTO, JNTO, JICA, JATA, local governments, JTA departments, and was chaired by Dr. Kumi Kato — who last year was elected to the GSTC Board of Directors by GSTC’s members. JSTS-D was compiled as a comprehensive booklet, including a range of resources, how-to use manual, good practices, glossary, templates, and useful links.

As part of the development and implementation project, a national survey was conducted among Japan’s 1765 local governments to benchmark the state of sustainability nationally.

During 2020, JTA funded 5 “model destinations” with specific tasks: (1) implementation of JSTS-D in the tourism policy; (2) GSTC Sustainable Tourism training; and (3) administering a sustainable tourism project. In total 89 people (from local governments, business, DMOs/DMCs) participated in the training.

Proving to be a great success, JTA has significantly expanded the project for 2021, selecting further 15 “model destinations” ranging from a small island to a consortium-type DMOs in diverse economic, social and environmental contexts. The project will be led by a newly established company formed through the gained expertise and experiences. Further plans to utilize the JSTS-D include a platform in university education for skill developments, and developing a web-based application for assessments of Japanese destinations.

The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself and means that a sustainable tourism standard or system has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel and deemed the standard or system equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. It shows that the set of standards are based on the 4 pillars of the GSTC Criteria: Environment, Social, Cultural, and Management principles. This does not relate to the process of certification, nor to accreditation.

“JTA has taken a very organized and systematic approach to helping the hundreds of destinations within Japan to operate more sustainably. That includes applying standards that comply with the GSTC Criteria, training destination managers holistically on sustainable management practices, and developing an entire system of rewards and support for continuous improvement,” says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.

“We will continue to promote JSTS-D in Japan, respecting the GSTC’s philosophy, so that we can proudly claim to be ‘a sustainable tourism nation’ to the world,” says Mr. Ono Hajime, Chief Official, Office of Director for Travel Promotion, JTA.

“JSTS-D will no doubt build sustainable tourism capacity throughout the country, and will lead Japan’s sustainability commitment nationally,” adds Dr. Kumi Kato, Wakayama University Faculty of Tourism Professor, and GSTC Board Member.

Currently, 12 destination standards, 32 hotel standards, and 16 tour operator standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The status offers the market a proof that these standards adhere to international norms. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to follow and complete the accreditation process, which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practice, transparent, and rigor.

About the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for Accreditation of Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but it accredits those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

About Japan Tourism Agency (JTA)
The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) is an organization that was set up in 2008 as an agency of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. It was established to serve as the hub for the Japanese government’s current work to enhance tourism-related measures towards the ultimate goal of turning Japan into a tourism nation. In addition to carrying out measures to expand international tourism exchange such as the Visit Japan Campaign, the JTA works to prepare a national environment friendly to tourist travel. This includes creating appealing tourist destinations in Japan, upgrading tourism industries to fit traveler needs, promoting training and utilization of talent in the tourism field, encouraging Japanese to take vacations, and preparing safety measures for Japanese travelers abroad.

Bangkok, Thailand, April 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is calling for urgent action from all Thai travel and tourism industry stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to address the COVID-19 impacts on the local tourism supply chain.

Between December 2020 and March 2021, PATA, in partnership with focusright, a Swiss consultancy that works with companies to embed responsible business practices throughout their business and supply chains, and with the support of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Switzerland, conducted research on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on informal workers in the Thai tourism supply chain. The research identified urgent and necessary actions needed to support workers in the Thai informal supply chain until international tourism restarts.

Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO of PATA, said, “The impacts of COVID-19 on tourism worldwide have been extensively deliberated over the past year. The question is not if tourism will survive, but what will it look like post COVID-19. There remains many unanswered questions with most pundits focused on airlines, hospitality, travel agencies, and tour operators. These deliberations therefore miss the crucial element of tourism everywhere – the informal tourism workers. Informal workers include street food sellers, souvenir sellers, drivers, freelance tour guides, activity providers, artists and artisans to name just a few.”

“The informal workers provide the local experiences that create memorable tourism. Yet, such professions are repeatedly ignored when discussing the tourism value chain, even though they make up a majority of tourism employment and provide entrepreneurial opportunities to women, youth and the elderly. This vital sector lacks voice and is excluded from industry discussions,” he added.

The research sought feedback from informal tourism workers in Thailand, with a total of 72 interviews conducted by COVID-19 impacted tour guides in December 2020. These guides were selected due to their extensive on-the-ground knowledge of the three leading destinations in Thailand – Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Tour guides are the bridge between visitors and the informal sector. The interviews provided an understanding of the current living conditions of the 72 interviewees. They were asked about their work and financial situation, survival strategies, what kind of support they require, and their hopes for the near future.

Unsurprisingly, the results revealed that 94% of informal workers interviewed have experienced employment impacts due to the lack of international visitors. As a result, 86% have experienced financial hardship leading to negative effects on mental health and quality of life. Many interviewees report feeling depressed from lack of prospects for the future.

The research confirms the importance of international visitors for informal workers to have a successful quality of life, and why 89% want the country to be reopened and are ready to restart their business activities and welcome back international tourists.

Sibylle Baumgartner, Co-founding Director of focusright, highlighted the urgency of the situation: “Indeed, before preparing for post-Covid, it is crucial to support them (informal workers) during Covid, i.e., from now (April 2021) until next year. We assume that meaningful international tourism in Thailand will only start to return around the Q2 of 2022 (or even later). Additionally, we also assume that the Thai vaccination programme will not be finished until next year. Therefore, it reinforces the crucial need for support for the tourism supply chain now.”

To complete the research and confirm its findings, an industry roundtable was held on March 23, 2021, and involved all relevant stakeholders including tour guides, destination management companies (DMCs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), European tour operators, The Embassy of Switzerland in Thailand, and Thai community development organisations.

The roundtable participants strongly concluded that Thai tourism can only rebound strongly through a combination of actions and strategies, which includes multisector engagement, a programme for the retention of workers, the organisation of various types of training workshops, the financial support for DMCs and NGOs, and social security benefits for the informal tourism sector.

Interested parties can learn more about this research project and outcomes, and be part of the discussion, by registering for the webinar, titled “COVID-19 Impacts on The Thai Tourism Supply Chain”, taking place on May 6, 2021 03:00 PM Bangkok.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its more than 650 member organisations, including 82 government, state and city tourism bodies, 14 international airlines and airports, 71 hospitality organisations and 75 educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

About focusright
focusright provides consultancy services that make human rights tangible for business. Focusright works with companies to embed responsible business practices and human rights due diligence throughout their business and supply chains. Focusright works in a pragmatic, business-focused way that is aligned with international human rights standards and frameworks.

focusright is based in Zurich, Switzerland and operates in various sectors – one focus is the development of socially responsible tourism.

As thought leaders in business and human rights, focusright builds bridges between NGOs, businesses, academia and governments.

Denham, United Kingdom, April 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Haitham Mattar as Managing Director of India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA), effective 18 April 2021. Haitham Mattar joins IHG Hotels & Resorts from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism where, as Senior Advisor and a member of the Executive Leadership Committee, he contributed to the development and implementation of Saudi’s sustainable tourism strategy to become one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

In his new role with IHG, Haitham Mattar will take on a broad leadership agenda to drive IHG’s business in the Middle East, Africa and the South West Asia region, covering both development and operations responsibilities across a portfolio of 165 operational hotels and a strong pipeline of over 100 properties, representing IHG’s brands across luxury and lifestyle, premium, essentials and suites collections.

Haitham Mattar is a well-known industry veteran in the IMEA region, with over 25 years of experience in hospitality and tourism and an outstanding network across the industry.

Haitham Mattar joins IHG Hotels & Resorts from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism where, as Senior Advisor and a member of the Executive Leadership Committee, he contributed to the development and implementation of Saudi’s sustainable tourism strategy to become one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

Before then, Haitham spent four years as CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, reporting to His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

Guided by His Highness’ vision, Haitham was responsible for developing and implementing the first ever tourism strategy to position Ras Al Khaimah as a global adventure tourism destination, connecting the world to the emirates’ natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Haitham previously spent 11 years at IHG Hotels & Resorts from 2000 to 2011 in various operations, commercial and sales & marketing positions based in IMEA.

In his new role, Haitham will be based in IHG’s Dubai office and will report to Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA).

Commenting on the announcement, Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, IHG said: “I am very pleased to welcome Haitham back to IHG and lead our business in IMEA at such a crucial time for the travel and tourism industry. Haitham has a wealth of experience within the sector and has been at the forefront of several important strategic initiatives in the region over the last decade. I am confident that his knowledge, diverse experience, along with cross-continent and local expertise will be invaluable, as we look to continue driving our recovery”

Haitham Mattar said: “I am delighted to join the IHG family once again and have an opportunity to lead such a diverse region with enormous potential. The tourism and hospitality landscape in IMEA has transformed significantly in recent years, providing us with a tremendous opportunity to offer world-class hospitality options to both domestic and international travellers. Building on IHG’s strong performance track record and growth plans, I look forward to working with the team, as well as our partners, as we look ahead to the next chapter of travel in the region.”

Phuket, Thailand, April 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Utopia Corporation, Phuket’s pioneering property developer and hospitality company, is forging even closer bonds within the island’s business community with the launch of Club Utopia, an attractive new membership program that brings together many prestigious local partners and creates a wealth of benefits for local residents, visitors and investors alike.

For its members, Club Utopia is not just a club; it’s a lifestyle! Open to everyone, including Utopia’s residence owners, real estate buyers, domestic guests and international travellers, this initiative is designed to showcase the very best of Phuket, including its nightlife, retail, dining, theme parks, lifestyle products and more.

For the island’s business community, Club Utopia is a unifying force that will promote local enterprises and allow companies to work together for the benefit of the whole of Phuket. With the island currently impacted by global travel restrictions, the launch of Club Utopia is a timely reminder of the benefits of cooperation.

Three membership tiers are available: Gold, Platinum and Black:

Gold is dedicated to owners of Utopia Corporation’s world-class residences in Phuket. More than 1,000 owners are already part of this loyalty scheme, including domestic guests and international travellers from all around the world. Gold cardholders all enjoy a raft of perks at Utopia’s collection of hotels in Phuket, such as discounts on F&B, spa treatments, tours and function room hire, early check-in and late check-out and more!

The prestigious Platinum is an exclusive annual program that promises all the aforementioned benefits, discounts and services, accompanied by complimentary room nights at Utopia’s hotels and resorts in Phuket. This is available for an annual fee of just THB 1,999, making it highly appealing to regular leisure travellers to Phuket.

Finally, Black is Club Utopia’s highest class, which will be offered at a one-time fee to all potential buyers of the company’s real estate projects in Phuket. This refined tier offers all the inclusions of Gold and Platinum, plus additional elite offerings such as complimentary airport transfer, VIP lounge access and more importantly exclusive discounts on residential sales at future Utopia developments!

But that’s not all; cardholders will be entitled to a wealth of enticing offers and promotions from premium partners in and around Phuket. This could include reduced green fees at the island’s golf courses, preferential rates on wellness treatments at local spas and medical centres, special offers at retail outlets, discounted day passes at world-class water parks and attractions, and exclusive benefits at a wide range of exceptional restaurants, blissful beach clubs, buzzing bars and exhilarating nightclubs all over the island. With an extensive and ever-expanding list of partners, Club Utopia members can maximise their time in Phuket and experience everything this enchanting island has to offer.

New loyalty scheme already has more than 1,000 members, bringing together a wide range of prestigious partners on Thailand’s paradise island, including hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, retail destinations, golf courses and more, all supported by proprietary technology.

Club Utopia’s long list of perks and partners can be instantly accessed via smartphone, with a dedicated members-only mobile app developed by Zeus Teknology, a subsidiary of Utopia Corporation. This is another excellent example of how this innovative company is helping to unite the island through real estate, hospitality, technology and more.

“Club Utopia is more than just a loyalty program for Utopia Corporation; it is a cooperative island-wide initiative that brings together the finest facilities and activities all across Phuket. With over 1,000 members, we are already delivering exceptional benefits to our esteemed community of guests, residents, investors and corporate partners. We want Club Utopia to be a unifying force that brings together everyone who loves this wonderful island, from business owners and operators to domestic guests and international investors. We are proud to showcase the very best of Phuket,” said Mr. Hachi Yin, Chief Executive Officer, Utopia Corporation.

Established in 2015, Utopia Corporation now operates three own-branded hotels in Phuket – Utopia Kata, Utopia Loft, and Utopia Naiharn, which was named as Asia’s “Top Emerging Hotel” in the Now Travel Asia Awards – and recently unveiled plans to launch a luxury boutique hotel in partnership with the legendary Italian label, Tonino Lamborghini. It has also successfully pioneered the concept of themed real estate in Phuket with the Japanese-styled Utopia Thalang and Moroccan-inspired Utopia Yamu, its breath-taking all-villa developments.