Category: Latest Travel News

London, United Kingdom, November 9, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The City of London Corporation, in collaboration with the Green Finance Institute, and supported by the World Economic Forum, is hosting a virtual summit 9-11 November that will focus on the role of green finance in the recovery from COVID-19.

The Green Horizon Summit will bring together leaders from government, business, and civil society to close the financing gap between net zero ambitions and reality. Each session will help drive forward the role of green finance in the recovery from COVID-19.

The Summit will cover five major themes:
– Reporting, Risk Management and Return
– Financing the Energy Transition
– Infrastructure and Green Growth
– Financing Resilience and Adaptation
– Nature and Net Zero

All sessions will be livestreamed and captioned. Session recordings and videos will be uploaded to the Forum’s YouTube channel.

The Forum will host day three (November 11) of the Summit. This ‘practitioners’ day’ will focus on how to put the frameworks into place and funnel finance into a net zero economy. It will feature a range of practitioners covering a new generation of asset managers, banking, big data, professional services to hear how we can make the transition a reality. The media can ask questions through Slido using the code GHS2020.

Key topics covered on this day include building common ESG metrics, shaping the future of work and skills of the future, and how to accelerate and finance innovation that will accelerate the race to zero.

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, November 7, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park just welcomed a baby white rhinoceros to the family, boosting efforts to save the magnificent and endangered species.

After a 16-month pregnancy, the male calf was born to mom Kendi, who was the first rhino born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom back in 1999. This birth marks the 11th white rhino calf born at Walt Disney World Resort.

Calf and mother are doing well under the keepers’ watchful eyes. While rhinos are gregarious by nature; for now, the calf is resting, nursing and bonding with his mom.

The yet-to-be-named rhino is expected to join the “crash” – the term for a group of rhinos – on the theme park’s savanna in the coming weeks. Guests aboard the park’s Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction will then have a chance to see the calf in its habitat.

Kendi was paired with dad Dugan through one of the Species Survival Plans overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species.

The animal care team is also caring for two other rhinos expected to give birth in 2021. This is especially significant, as white rhinos – the world’s second largest land animal – are an endangered species with a near-threatened status.

Madrid, Spain, November 5, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The Ubuntu: Africa Invites You To Live campaign, developed by ATREVIA, a global Communication and Strategic Positioning company, won the Inspiration Africa Branding Challenge  organized  by  the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with CNN International.  Its proposal was selected from more than 200 entries received.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Announcements here.

• Atrevia was the winner of the Inspiration Africa Branding Challenge
• The Ubuntu: Africa Invites You To Live campaign developed by ATREVIA has been chosen from the more than 200 proposals received in this international call by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
• The proposal’s creativity, spirit of cooperation and differentiating emphasis on digital innovation in its strategy to position Africa’s tourism attractions convinced the jury composed of representatives from UNWTO and CNN

The international call invited agencies, creative firms and entrepreneurs to present an innovative and original brand strategy with the aim of positioning the diversity of Africa and its destinations in the minds of travellers in the post-COVID era. The challenge was to highlight the continent’s strengths, thus fostering a positive image and enhancing the efforts of individual countries and organizations to boost the sustainable growth of the region with tourism as a driver of development.

“It is certainly very rewarding to have been chosen to take on a project as special as this. We are excited to be, in some way, ambassadors of such a spectacular region as Africa, with its infinite possibilities that often escape general knowledge. It’s time to rediscover destinations and maximize the use of innovation and digital technology for a mission as important as revitalizing tourism. This approach has guided the work of a fantastic team that has shown, once again,  that by integrating talent and multi-disciplinary knowledge, it is possible to overcome  the  challenges of communication,” said Núria Vilanova,  president  and founder of the consultancy. “At ATREVIA we feel proud and privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to the knowledge and development of such an important sector for the African continent.”

“We need solutions that restore confidence in travel to ensure that the many benefits of tourism are widely enjoyed. Africa’s potential for tourism is undeniable, as is the potential of tourism to drive inclusive development across the continent. If the restart of tourism is managed in a responsible and coordinated manner, harnessing the power of innovation, entrepreneurship and communication, this sector will be able to transform the lives of millions of people and help protect and preserve Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage and diversity,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

Ubuntu: Africa Invites You To Live was createdthrough the development of a territorial brand methodology that aims to distil all the attributes of a continent as extensive and plural as Africa within a unified concept that is adaptable to different tourism products and different audiences. A 360-degree campaign will be centred on the notion of “Ubuntu”, a traditional term describing people’s loyalty and their relationships, and will include the creation of Africa’s first emotion map: a digital innovation that helps measure the emotions and feelings generated by travellers visiting the continent. Through social listening and Big Data, comments on experiences are collected and positive feelings discovered in each country are extracted.

About ATREVIA
We are a global Communication and Strategic Positioning Company. Our own offices in 16 countries and our network of partners allow us to offer total global coverage to our clients. With a staff of nearly 400 professionals featuring 30 nationalities and multidisciplinary profiles, we provide comprehensive solutions in more than 20 areas of expertise through our MKT and Communication, Corporate Affairs, Culture and People Engagement and Strategic Surveillance divisions.

Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, November 5, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The Seychelles former and most popular Tourism Minister Alain St.Ange, who made a bid for the highest office for Tourism Ministers in the position of Secretary General of the UNWTO and who only in October was a candidate for the Seychelles Presidential elections has announced he was stopping the publication of his weekly informative and interesting “Saint Ange Tourism Report“.

Alain St.Ange has had a positive tourism career and he earned the respect of his peers right around the world as a Tourism Minister. His knowledge of the subject and the flair with which he managed the industry propelled him to be one of the most popular and respected Ministers. He was always sought after as a speaker on the tourism and aviation circuit because of his ability to deliver long ‘off the cuff’ speeches that remained to the point, interesting and topical for the industry’s forward thinking..

St.Ange launched his Tourism Report in 2017 after returning to Seychelles following the UNWTO election debacle that saw his candidature withdrawn by the Government of President Danny Faure of the Seychelles but two days before voting day to the disbelief of Tourism Ministers form the Community of Nations who had gathered in Madrid for the UNWTO elections. The Saint Ange Tourism Report had become the voice of the Indian Ocean Islands and also roped in aviation, news of the African Continent and tourism trends and development.

Saint Ange started his own weekly tourism column on eNews way back in the early 90s and this set his name firmly as a household one in the tourism fraternity. His report will be missed

Windhoek, Namibia, November 6, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has paid a first visit to an African Member State since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-day official visit to Namibia reaffirms UNWTO’s commitment to the continent and featured a series of high-level talks aimed at strengthening existing partnerships and looking to a sustainable, resilient future.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Announcements here.

As the United Nations specialized agency for tourism, UNWTO has been actively guiding the sector’s recovery and restart from this unprecedented crisis. To reflect the new challenges, it has worked directly with its African Member States, including Namibia, to adapt the 2030 Agenda for Africa: Tourism for Inclusive Growth, the landmark roadmap for the responsible growth of tourism across the continent. This official visit offered a first chance to follow up on virtual meetings and advance the preparations for the restart of a sector upon which millions of African livelihoods depend.

UNWTO is committed to working closely with our African Member States to realize the potential of tourism to help societies recover from the effects of the pandemic and enjoy long-term sustainable growth

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia for talks on realizing the potential of tourism to drive sustainable development, including for youth, women and rural communities. In addition, the Secretary-General commended the head of state for his leadership, particularly with regards to the international tourism revival initiative which includes the key health and safety protocols drawn up by UNWTO. Alongside this, a meeting with Vice President H.E. Nangolo Mbumba allowed the UNWTO leadership further opportunity to express support for African Member States as they use tourism to recover and grow. Additionally, the UNWTO delegation met with Honourable Pohamba Shifeta, MP, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to identify ways of growing the country’s tourism sector, including a greater focus on gastronomy tourism, rural and community-based tourism.

 UNWTO Committed to Africa

“UNWTO is committed to working closely with our African Member States to realize the potential of tourism to help societies recover from the effects of the pandemic and enjoy long-term sustainable growth,” Secretary-General Pololikashvili said. “The UNWTO Agenda for Africa maps our collective way forward, and I pleased to see first-hand the commitment shown by the Government of Namibia to support tourism at this vital time and embrace the sector as a driver of positive change for all.”

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Announcements here.

Highlighting UNWTO’s determination to lead by example, show travel is safe and be active on the ground when conditions are right, the delegation visited several of Namibia’s leading tourist sites. These included the Namib Sand Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is ready to welcome tourists again, and also historical Swakopmund and the up-and-coming Walvis Bay tourist destination. Secretary-General Pololikashvili met with Honourable Neville Andre, Governor of the Erongo Region of Namibia, to offer UNWTO’s strongest support for local tourism, including businesses.

Additionally, the Namibia Tourism Expo provided an opportunity for UNWTO to engage with public and private sector leaders from across the region and sent a clear message to the world that Namibia, “The Land of the Brave” is open and ready to welcome tourists again.

Geneva, Switzerland, November 6, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that passenger demand in September remained highly depressed.

• Total demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was 72.8% below September 2019 levels (only slightly improved over the 75.2% year-to-year decline recorded in August). Capacity was down 63% compared to a year ago and load factor fell 21.8 percentage points to 60.1%.
• International passenger demand in September plunged 88.8% compared to September 2019, basically unchanged from the 88.5% decline recorded in August. Capacity plummeted 78.9%, and load factor withered 38.2 percentage points to 43.5%.
• Domestic demand in September was down 43.3% compared to the previous year, improved from a 50.7% decline in August. Compared to 2019, capacity fell 33.3% and the load factor dropped 12.4 percentage points to 69.9%.

“We have hit a wall in the industry’s recovery. A resurgence in COVID-19 outbreaks–particularly in Europe and the US–combined with governments’ reliance on the blunt instrument of quarantine in the absence of globally aligned testing regimes, has halted momentum toward re-opening borders to travel. Although domestic markets are doing better, this is primarily owing to improvements in China and Russia. And domestic traffic represents just a bit more than a third of total traffic, so it is not enough to sustain a general recovery,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

International Passenger Markets

• European carriers’ September demand collapsed 82.5% versus a year ago, which was a setback compared to an 80.5% decline in August. Europe was the only region to see a deterioration in traffic compared to August, owing to renewed infections that led to a wave of border closings. Capacity contracted 70.7% and load factor fell by 35.1 percentage points to 51.8%.
• Asia-Pacific airlines’ September traffic sank 95.8% compared to the year-ago period, virtually unchanged from a 96.2% drop in August. The region continued to suffer from the steepest fall in traffic as flight restrictions have remained stringent with little re-opening of borders. Capacity plummeted 89.6% and load factor shrank 46.8 percentage points to 31.7%, the lowest among regions.
• Middle Eastern airlines posted a 90.2% traffic decline for September, improved from a 92.3% demand drop in August. Capacity tumbled 78.5%, and load factor sank 40.9 percentage points to 34.4%.
• North American carriers saw a 91.3% traffic decline in September, a slight improvement from a 92.0% decline in August. Capacity toppled 78.3%, and load factor dropped 49.8 percentage points to 33.4%.
• Latin American airlines faced a 92.2% demand drop in September, compared to the same month last year, versus a 93.4% decline in August versus August 2019. Capacity dived 87.9% and load factor dropped 29.3 percentage points to 53.3%, highest among the regions.
• African airlines’ traffic sank 88.5% in September, barely budged from an 88.7% drop in August. Capacity contracted 74.7%, and load factor fell 39.4 percentage points to 32.6%, which was the second lowest among regions.
• Australia’s domestic traffic was down 88.7% compared to September 2019 virtually unchanged from August (-88.8%), amid continuing strict containment measures.
• Brazil’s domestic traffic fell 55.3% in September, an 11.7 percentage point improvement compared to August.

The Bottom Line: 
“Last week we provided analysis showing that the airline industry cannot slash costs fast enough to compensate for the collapse in passenger demand brought about by COVID-19 and government border closures and quarantines. Some 4.8 million aviation-sector jobs are imperiled, as are a total of 46 million people in the broader economy whose jobs are supported by aviation. To avoid this economic catastrophe, governments need to align on testing as a way to open borders and enable travel without quarantine; and provide further relief measures to sustain the industry through the dark winter ahead. A broader economic recovery is only possible through the connectivity provided by aviation,” said de Juniac.

Bangkok, Thailand, November 4, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Established in 1993, IT&CMA is at the forefront of fostering MICE growth opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and beyond. Its multi-faceted programme engages regional and international industry suppliers and buyers in the realms of business, education and networking. IT&CMA also features dedicated platforms designed around the interests of valuable MICE niche segments, enabling the event to consistently deliver a delegate profile that is both relevant and dynamic. IT&CMA remains uniquely positioned as the only global event with the largest exhibition showcase of Asia-Pacific MICE suppliers. The show has been incorporating Luxury Travel since 2012.

Co-located with CTW Asia-Pacific as Asia-Pacific’s Only Doublebill Event In MICE and Corporate Travel, IT&CMA is part of the IT&CM Events series.

Asia-Pacific premier-First MICE and Corporate Travel Event Of Its Kind welcome stakeholders to join the First Virtual Incentive Travel, Conventions and Meetings (IT&CM) Asia and Corporate Travel World (CTW) APAC.

PROGRAMME OF THE VIRTUAL 2020 EVENT

24/7 Virtual Exhibition with Interactive Booths
Discover MICE and Corporate suppliers from across the Asia-Pacific and the world anytime during the event week with 24/7 round the clock access.

Up to 24 Scheduled Meets (SM) on Mutual Request
Each exhibitor or buyer receives up to 24 x 20min schedulable meeting slots over 4 days. Mutual request for meetings can be done from 9 November, right up to the 5 actual event days, inclusive.

Brand Showcase Presentations
Tune in first-hand to the latest highlights and developments by participating destination and corporate brands, during 30-min presentations.

Mini Destination / Brand Roadshows NEW!
An exclusive mini event dedicated to immersing with the destination or brand host. Programme highlights can include an opening overview presentation, followed by Exhibitor Familiarisation sessions with individual co-exhibitors, concluding with an interactive social soiree of entertainment, fun & games, and giveaways.

Daily Themed Knowledge Sessions
Daily opportunities to engage in the year’s hot topics with our prolific panel of industry thought leaders and experts.

Flexible Meetings-Your-Way
2 ways to optimise your one-on-one business meeting potential: (1) mutual request Scheduled Meet (SM) slots (2) anytime Walk-in Meets (WM), for maximum lead generation throughout the event.

Daily Full Business Day Walk-In Meets (WM)
In addition to scheduled meets, anytime WMs can take place throughout the 5 event days from 9am to 6pm (GMT+8), subject to the Exhibitors’ preferred booth opening hours and Buyers’ online availability. Buyer / Exhibitor can directly request for a WM meet anytime without a prior appointment.

Exhibitors and Buyers also have the added convenience of pre-arranging a meet based on mutual availability anytime during the event, including times outside the business day of 9am to 6pm (GMT+8).

Buyer Procurement Showcase NEW!
A new event segment featuring MICE, Association and Corporate buyers as they share their procurement requirements with relevant and interested destination and supplier leads. Each showcase is 30-min in duration.

Daily Themed Networking Sessions
Stretch your social muscles even further over virtual conversations, ice-breakers and interactive games.

Detailed programme and registration here

Asia-Pacific’s Only Doublebill Event In MICE and Corporate Travel Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) and Corporate Travel World (CTW) Asia-Pacific is Asia-Pacific’s Only Doublebill Event in MICE and Corporate Travel. Both events have been co-locating since 2004, offering its delegates an unparalleled platform to do business, learn and network with industry players from around the region and beyond. 2021 will see the 29th and 24th instalment of IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific.

Madrid, Spain, November 4, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourists are to be given greater legal protection as consumers under new plans being advanced by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). With restoring confidence a key priority for the sector, the International Code for the Protection of Tourists advanced by UNWTO with the support of almost 100 Member States so far, will make the support available to tourists affected by emergency situations clearer and more consistent globally.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Announcements here.

In its first meeting, the Committee for the Development of an International Code for the Protection of Tourists has featured the active participation of 92 UNWTO Member States. Together, they adopted a concrete plan of action to restore tourists’ confidence through a common and harmonized framework. Within the next weeks, international organizations, the European Commission as well as private stakeholders will be called upon to join this unprecedented initiative to achieve a more fair and balanced share of responsibilities among all tourism stakeholders in the post COVID-19 world.

Helping tourists in trouble

Ahead of today’s meeting, UNWTO published the Recommendations for the Assistance to International Tourists in Emergency Situations, laying the ground for the International Code for the Protection of Tourists.

Establishing a standard set of minimum consumer protection standards for tourists will help make people feel safer and more confident in international travel

These Recommendations are addressed at States and are designed to ensure that responsibility for tourists in emergency situations is shared fairly across the whole of the tourism value chain, including:

• Preventing possible disruptions by drawing up contingency plans and coordination protocols and training tourism stakeholders to assist tourists in emergency situations
• Providing real-time information for tourists
• Addressing cross-border cooperation between governments and tourism service providers
• Fostering close collaboration between governments and travel and accommodation providers
• Addressing the effective repatriation of tourists.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Announcements here.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Uncertainty and a lack of trust in travel are among the biggest challenges we face as we work to restart tourism. An International Code for the Protection of Tourists will be a landmark step towards addressing this. Establishing a standard set of minimum consumer protection standards for tourists will help make people feel safer and more confident in international travel. And it will also ensure that the responsibility of managing the disruptions caused by this pandemic is shared fairly across the whole of our sector.”

It is anticipated a progress report on the development of the International Code for the Protection of Tourists will be presented at the next UNWTO General Assembly (end of 2021 in Marrakech, Morocco) for approval by Member States.

London, United Kingdom, November 3, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Iceland, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Colombia and Turks and Caicos are the latest major destinations to adopt the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) global safety and hygiene stamp, which was launched earlier this year.

The Safe Travels stamp was developed as the first of its kind to help restore confidence in travellers and aims to revive an ailing Travel & Tourism sector.

It is now being used by over 145 destinations, including major holiday hotspots such as Puerto Rico, Philippines, Portugal, Turkey and Maldives.

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

The stamp allows travellers to identify which destinations around the world have adopted standardised global health and hygiene protocols – so they can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

This landmark move by WTTC also received the backing of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The launch of global protocols to recover the Travel & Tourism sector have been embraced by over 200 CEO’s, including some of the world’s major tourism groups.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of our Safe Travels stamp. More than 145 destinations now proudly use the stamp, all of which are working together to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide. Global coordination is more important than ever in the road to recovery.

“As the stamp continues growing in popularity, travellers will more easily be able to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted these important standardised global protocols, encouraging the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world.

“The success of the stamp shows its importance both to countries and destinations, but also to travellers and the 330 million people around the world who work in and depend on, a thriving the Travel & Tourism sector.”

Mr. Skarphedinn Berg Steinarsson, Director General, Icelandic Tourist Board, said:
“The Icelandic Tourist Board has implemented Clean & Safe guidelines for tourism businesses who are working hard to adhere to government and public health and is committed to achieve traveller confidence and ensure safety. The guidelines are aligned with WTTC, to whom we want to express our gratitude for its effort in establishing and developing the new global safety stamp and Safe Travels protocols.
“As the tourism industry starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and people feel like travelling again, it is important that tourism companies are ready to welcome their guests and customers in a safe and responsible way. Global collaboration with harmonised guidelines is vital and help us in achieving this goal, as to restore the public’s confidence in the tourism sector for future travel.

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

Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, Chairman, JSC, National Company, Kazakh Tourism, said:
“While the world is shifting to a new normal and the industry is seeing a tremendous transformation, we at Kazakh Tourism strongly believe in a single voice of the businesses and governments in these trying times. Customers across the globe expect safety and comprehensive protocols at various tourism outlets, and therefore a single approach that derives from the tourism businesses who form the core of WTTC, is much needed now than ever before.

“Kazakh Tourism welcomes the Safe Travels initiative by WTTC. The industry protocols developed based on WHO and CDC recommendations are timely and will help gain trust of the traveller. We understand it will take long to see the industry fully recover but by working together and implementing Safe Travels, we are one step closer to the goal.”

The widespread adoption of the stamp demonstrates that WTTC and all its Members from around the world have the safety and hygiene of travellers as their top priority.

Evidence from WTTC’s Crisis Readiness report, which looked at 90 different types of crises in the last 20 years, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation and the implementation of standardised protocols.WTTC has been at the forefront of leading the private sector in the drive to rebuild global consumer confidence and encourage the return of Safe Travels.

According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.

Singapore, Singapore, November 3, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The double-bill trade event, IT&CM Asia and CTW APAC, will maintain its presence this year amid ongoing travel restrictions with a virtual format that weaves in 24-hour access to the exhibition, flexible meetings and buyer showcases, among others.

The five-day event will be held from November 16 to 20, 2020.

Organiser TTG Asia Media has created 24/7 virtual and interactive exhibitions booths that buyers can access round the clock; flexible business meeting arrangements that allow for mutually requested scheduled slots and walk-ins; destination and corporate brand presentations and mini-roadshows; insights into buyers’ procurement motivations; daily themed knowledge sessions and networking activities.

Qualified buyers are welcomed with no registration fees and full event access as well as unique incentives upon completion of event sessions and missions.