Category: Latest Travel News

Berlin, Germany, August 10, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The hospitality industry is facing turbulent times: On 11 August (2 – 4 p.m. CET) ITB Berlin will launch its next round of online sessions as part of the virtual ITB Berlin Convention. Under the heading ’ITB Virtual Convention Hospitality Update – Trends & Cases’, the three sessions and interviews on the global platform ITB will focus on the topic of hospitality. The events will be streamed live in English and available shortly afterwards to anyone interested as videos on demand.

Kicking off the three-part series will be the session ‘Smart Hotel – Future Scenarios and Current Practice in the Crisis’ at 2 p.m., in which Prof. Dr. Ing. Vanessa Borkmann of the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO will provide valuable insights into technological scenarios and cognitive environments. She will highlight ways in which digitalisation can help the hotel industry in these challenging times and provide examples of how hotels are integrating smart solutions and new technologies to overcome the crisis.

This will be followed at 2.30 p.m. by ‘Ready, Set, Listen: Staying Fit in a Hotelier’s Race to Recovery’, an exclusive interview with Ben Jost, the CEO of TrustYou. In conversation with Iris Steinmetz, Senior Director of Operations EMEA, HRS International, he will discuss how hoteliers can maximise the potential of the Travel Health Index and why listening to guest and staff feedback will be the key to success during and after the pandemic.

Rounding off the series on 11 August at 3.15 p.m. will be a discussion round titled ‘How to Create a Comeback – Practical Learnings from the Crisis Period’, also moderated by Iris Steinmetz, Senior Director of Operations EMEA, HRS International. Together with other panel members, Andreas Westerburg, Head of Development, BWH Hotel Group, Stefan Matthiessen, Chief Brand Officer, Koncept Hotels, and Julie White, VP Commercial EMEA Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will outline the thorny road to recovery for all the various types will outline the thorny road to recovery for all the various types of hotels around the world. What direction are hotel brands taking? How are new, smaller brands positioning themselves, and how are the major established hotel companies finding their way? The practice-oriented panel discussion at this session will focus on sharing practical advice and experiences with representatives of different hotel brands.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
ITB Berlin 2021 will be taking place from Wednesday, 10 to Sunday, 14 March, and from Wednesday to Friday will be open to trade visitors only. ITB Berlin is the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. In 2019 a total of 10,000 companies and organisations from 181 countries exhibited their products and services to around 160,000 visitors, including 113.500 trade visitors. Parallel with the show the ITB Berlin Convention, the largest event of its kind, will be held from Wednesday, 10 to Saturday, 13 March 2021. Admission to the ITB Berlin Convention is free for trade visitors and exhibitors.

London, United Kingdom, August 8, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Popular holiday destinations Sri Lanka and Grenada, are among the latest destinations to begin using the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, launched recently by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The growing list of endorsements have come from many major holiday and city destinations around the world, with the holiday destinations of Sri Lanka and Grenada joining other summer sun destinations such as the ever-popular Alicante and Benidorm in Spain.

Eswatini, the popular wildlife and safari destination in Southern Africa, joins a growing list of African nations to adopt ‘Safe Travels’, including Rwanda and Tanzania.

WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, created the Safe Travels stamp to allow travellers to identify destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the global standardised health and hygiene protocols.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has welcomed the WTTC Safe Travels stamp, which place the safety and hygiene of travellers as top priority.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Our Safe Travels stamp continues to be a great success and we are thrilled to see even more popular countries and destinations adopt our global health and hygiene protocols.

“The WTTC Safe Travels stamp has had astounding success since its launch. This shows the importance of the initiative not only to countries and destinations, but also, crucially, to travellers and the 330 million people around the world whose livelihoods depend on the Travel & Tourism sector.

“The stamp represents a critical step in rebuilding consumer confidence in Travel & Tourism and allowing travellers to rest easy knowing that enhanced standards of hygiene are in place and they can once again experience ‘Safe Travels’.”

Since the launch of the WTTC Safe Travels stamp, destination countries and cities, around the world have now adopted WTTC’s new protocols, including holiday heavyweights such as Portugal, Dubai, Egypt and Turkey.

As part of its Safe Travels protocols, these worldwide measures provide consistency and guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing, in the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world.

The protocols were devised following the experience of WTTC members dealing with COVID19 and based on guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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.

London, Great Britain, August 7, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Nearly three million jobs in the UK – and 197 million worldwide in the Travel & Tourism sector globally – look set to be lost due to the collapse of travel, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

WTTC economic modelling conducted less than two months ago predicted this ‘worst case scenario’ would occur if barriers to global travel, such as quarantine measures and blanket travel restrictions were to remain in place.

While some travel bans have been removed, many others remain, with new restrictions likely to come into force to tackle the continuing threat posed by COVID-19 and possible second spikes.

However, the confusing patchwork of bans, quarantines and uncoordinated international testing and tracing measures, have deterred many people from travelling at all with the peak summer 2020 travel season all but being wiped out.

Last week travel to Spain was thrown into chaos when the UK government changed its travel advice to re-impose a 14-day quarantine period for people arriving back in the UK. This countrywide ‘travel ban’ came despite parts of Spain, such as Andalucia, the Balearics and Canaries having a lower COVID-19 infection rate than the UK.

WTTC estimates the UK now looks close to losing a staggering $186 billion from the Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to UK GDP, equating to a 73% percent drop compared with 2019.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “It’s heartbreaking to see our worst fears for the UK and global Travel & Tourism sector coming true. The jobs and livelihoods of millions of people who work throughout the sector are disappearing by the day, despite our warning this could happen.

“While we acknowledge the UK government’s efforts to support Travel & Tourism during this crisis, the UK alone looks set to lose three million jobs in the sector, creating an economic black hole of US$186 billion in the country’s finances. This is due to an international failure to implement proper coordination to combat the pandemic.

“However, we still have time to turn this around if we act together now as one and replace ineffective quarantines with comprehensive rapid testing, a worldwide accepted standard of contact tracing and widespread face mask usage. Employing the latest technology, combined with mass adoption of protective face coverings, will help restore confidence to the traveller.

“Governments around the world must align their policies and work hand in hand with the private sector to revive Travel & Tourism, so we can restore jobs and help revive the global economy.

“We strongly believe that by working as one we can beat COVID-19 and return to safe travels with world class standards of hygiene to travellers and regenerate the jobs and livelihoods of the 300 million people who worked in the sector before COVID-19. That is a much more, cost effective and efficient option which will alleviate the terrible economic impact of mass unemployment.”

The health and safety of travellers and those who work within the sector is always the number one priority. However, there is ample evidence from other countries which suggests only those who test positive should be quarantined.

This would protect public health and save lives, whilst restoring consumer confidence, driving the global economic recovery, and saving the jobs of millions of people whose very livelihoods depend upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector.

WTTC had urged governments to follow a four-point plan to avoid the ‘worst case scenario’ it feared could take place.

The plan recommended the immediate removal and replacement of travel bans and 14-day quarantine measures, with ‘air corridors’ to stimulate the Travel & Tourism sector and the wider economy.

It also urged the adoption of global health and safety protocols, such as the ‘Safe Travels’ initiative launched by WTTC, to provide assurance to travellers and those working within the sector.

WTTC believes the implementation of a rapid test and trace strategy is a critical step to help contain the spread of the virus, while still allowing people to travel responsibly and encouraging greater and sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure a standardised, global approach to the crisis.

WTTC has continually been at the forefront in leading the private sector in the efforts 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 in total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.

Shanghai, China, August 7, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The organizers of ITB China, China’s largest B2B exclusive travel trade show, announced the launch of the ITB China Industry MeetUp, at an exclusive networking event for industry senior representatives in Shanghai last Wednesday. The ITB China Industry MeetUp is a series of events set to take place in seven major cities in China between September and November 2020.

“More than ever, we need a platform like the ITB China Industry MeetUp in order to bring together representatives from all fields of the industry, to explore new market demands and to develop effective market solutions,” said Ms. Lucinda Wang, COO of Shanghai Jinjiang Travel Holding Co., Ltd.

The events are designed to help the industry recover from the economic post-Covid-19 fallout, providing unique opportunities for industry professionals to get updated on latest trend insights, relating to the ‘new normal’, as well as help travel suppliers to meet and connect face-to-face with members of the exclusive ITB China buyers circle in key cities and regions across China.

“It is good to see that preparations for the future opening of outbound tourism from China are already under way. These initiatives from ITB China are a very good example on how to bring all travel trade partners on board in the overall recovery process of the industry,” said Mr. Tiago Brito, Tourism Director China of Turismo de Portugal at the Shanghai networking event.

The seven stations of the ITB China Industry MeetUp in 2020 will be

· Shenzhen: 24 September

· Changsha: 15 October

· Beijing: 27 October

· Shenyang: 29 October

· Chengdu: 10 November

· Xi’an: 12 November

· Shanghai: 25 November

The organizer is pleased to announce the partnership with the global leading hotel group Marriott International, as the Partner Hotel of the ITB China Industry MeetUp event series. “Marriott International, as an ITB global partner, is excited to support the ITB China 2020 Industry Meetup Events across seven key markets in China exclusively. We believe that the Industry Meetup offers a great platform for customers from segments including Business Travel, Leisure & MICE to re-connect and explore business opportunities in the new normal. Marriott has always placed an emphasis on health and safety and is committed to providing guests with an environment that aligns with expert protocols. We will actively monitor and evolve our solutions, with continued focus on cleanliness, quality and exemplary service.” said Ms. Becky Cao, Vice President, Global Sales Greater China of Marriott International.

The events will support international travel industry professionals to meet with potential business partners, coming from China’s key cities and regions. Together with Chinese travel experts, they are going to pick up on new traveler demands and the latest trends of the Chinese travel market and have the opportunity to network with top Chinese buyers and promote their company and products.

Each event will bring together 100+ attendees from leading travel agencies and senior representatives from the industry, such as travel companies and tour operators, OTAs, themed & customized agencies, MICE and corporate associations and companies, DMCs, national tourism organizations and DMOs, hotels and accommodation, travel tech companies as well as transportation service companies.

Featured workshops at the events will invite industry insiders and experts to discuss the hot topics like “digitalization of travel marketing”, “safety solutions under the new normal” and “transformation of travel agencies” etc. through keynote speeches, panel discussions and case studies.

About ITB China and the ITB China Conference
ITB China is China’s largest B2B exclusive travel trade show. ITB China 2021 will take place from Wednesday to Friday, 12 to 14 May, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre. ITB China is a three-day business to business travel trade fair that focuses exclusively on the Chinese travel industry. The ITB China Conference will take place parallel to the show and is co-organized by the leading conference organizer TravelDaily.

Geneva, Switzerland, August 7, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East (AME), will be appointed Senior Vice President for Customer, Financial and Digital Services (CFDS), based in Geneva and effective 1 March 2021. At that time Aleks Popovich, who currently holds the position, will retire.

“Over the past 16 years Aleks has driven some of the most critical elements of IATA’s operations, while leading major transformational projects for the airline industry. This includes IATA’s financial settlement products, which securely processed $457 billion of industry money in 2019, during a time of tremendous innovation in financial technology. And he delivered critical flagship programs that continue to change the industry—introducing cost-effective self-service options under the banner of Simplifying the Business, enabling airline retailing with New Distribution Capability (NDC), and streamlining decades of legacy processes with ONE Order.

Aleks leaves behind a great team with a clear focus on customer service that will continue to drive critical changes under the capable leadership of Muhammad,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

Albakri joined IATA in January 2017 after more than a decade in the leadership team of Saudi Arabian Airlines where he successfully fulfilled the roles of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President for Transformation. At IATA, Albakri has been an agent of change, transforming the Africa and Middle East regional team to better serve member needs and pioneering the work of IATA’s Digital Transformation Advisory Council.

“Muhammad is well prepared to guide the development of IATA’s commercial offerings, settlement services and digital leadership. In normal times, these are critical functions—even more so in the middle of an industry crisis,” said de Juniac.

London, United Kingdom, August 6, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO said “WTTC is calling upon Governments around the world to begin a substantial programme of investment to ensure comprehensive testing facilities are implemented at airports, which will help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and see the return of safe travels.

“It is imperative that all airports, catering for international travel, implement globally recognised testing standards for both inbound and outbound passengers. This will provide reassurance to all travellers, maintain ‘air corridors’ between countries, and remove damage and disruption caused by blunt quarantines which massively impact the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector.

“Removing the whole of Spain from the UK travel corridors exception list risks causing irreparable damage to the Travel & Tourism sector. It also makes no sense; while Spain as a whole, and Catalonia in particular, has a higher rate of coronavirus cases than then UK, the rate in Andalucía, the Balearics and Canaries is actually lower than the UK.

“As part of the screening process, testing must involve temperature checks and swab tests for all arriving and departing passengers with results back within 24 hours, and only those testing positive – with or without symptoms – should be put into quarantine. Where there are apps to assist in effective Test & Trace regimes, passengers must be advised to sign up and use them.

“We are going to have to live with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future so we must do all we can to protect public health and save lives, whilst restoring consumer confidence, driving the global economic recovery, and saving the jobs of millions of people whose very livelihoods depend upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector.”

Madrid, Spain, August 6, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is calling on destinations to recognize the needs of travellers with disabilities or specific access requirements as they open up to visitors again. In partnership with the ONCE Foundation of Spain and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), the United Nations specialized agency has released new guideline to ensure accessibility and inclusivity as the responsible restart of tourism gets underway.

According to the newest data from UNWTO, 40% of global destinations have now eased restrictions on travel introduced in response to COVID0-19. Now, with tourism steadily returning, UNWTO has joined disabled people’s organizations and organizations from across civil society to design a basic set of recommendations aimed at maintaining the ethos of “Accessible Tourism for All” in the new reality.

Accessibility means opportunity

These Guidelines, produced in collaboration with ONCE Foundation and ENAT show that simple, thoughtful measures can make a real difference for travellers – and in return, allow destinations to welcome this wide and diverse demographic as they look to recover from COVID-19

The “Reopening Tourism for Travellers with Disabilities” guide also notes the opportunities available to destinations that take steps to accommodate the specific needs of persons with disabilities, those with specific access requirements and seniors. This is particularly relevant now since tourism has been among the hardest hit of all major economic sectors, with businesses big and small at risk.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Much progress has been made in making tourism more accessible to all. As we guide the responsible restart of tourism, we must make sure that this progress is not rolled back. Instead, it must be stepped up as it will benefit everyone. These Guidelines, produced in collaboration with ONCE Foundation and ENAT show that simple, thoughtful measures can make a real difference for travellers – and in return, allow destinations to welcome this wide and diverse demographic as they look to recover from COVID-19.”

Fundación ONCE Vice-President, Alberto Durán, underlined: “We are making great efforts to help everyone enjoy travel and tourism. It is fundamental that we use this time of change to sensitize all stakeholders to the need to include persons with disabilities and their families in tourism, leaving no one behind. These clients can help businesses stay afloat in these challenging times, representing opportunities for all.

ENAT President, Anna Grazia Laura stated: “These practical guidelines for curbing the spread of COVID-19, with due regard for accessibility and inclusion within tourism, can contribute to global efforts to reassure all visitors, benefitting tourists, businesses and destinations alike.

Guidelines for whole of the sector

The Guidelines are a set of basic recommendations addressed at different stakeholders working across the whole of the tourism value chain. All are aimed at helping stakeholders, including accommodation providers, bars, restaurants and tourism offices, adjust to new health and sanitary demands without reducing accessibility. The recommendations cover four distinct areas:

The full set of recommendations, “Reopening Tourism for Travellers with Disabilities: How to Provide Safety Without Imposing Unnecessary Obstacles” can be downloaded here.

• Travel Planning and Protocols: Including steps to guarantee seamless travel, and for making relevant information available and accessible to all
• Transportation: Including the importance of upskilling employees, adjusting protocols for passengers with disabilities/access requirements at airports and stations, as well as the provision and hygienic upkeep of mobility equipment
• Accommodation, Bars and Restaurants: Focusing on accessibility to cater for different needs of clients, guaranteeing social distancing, and enhanced hygiene procedures in all tourism-related establishments
• Tourist Activities: Including recommendations to help destinations and attractions adapt existing protocols by taking into account accessibility issues related to queuing, health and safety measures, and new venue capacities

Fundación ONCE Vice-President, Alberto Durán, said: “We are making great efforts to help everyone enjoy travel and tourism. It is fundamental that we use this time of change to sensitize all stakeholders to the need to include persons with disabilities and their families in tourism, leaving no one behind. These clients can help businesses stay afloat in these challenging times, representing opportunities for all.

ENAT President, Anna Grazia Laura stated: “These practical guidelines for curbing the spread of COVID-19, with due regard for accessibility and inclusion within tourism, can contribute to global efforts to reassure all visitors, benefitting tourists, businesses and destinations alike.

Bangkok, Thailand, August 6, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has today become a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, led by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Sustainable First supports and is a signatory to the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. It enables businesses and governments to take concerted action, leading by example in the shift towards a circularity in the use of plastics.

As a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, PATA commits to eliminate, innovate and circulate its use of plastics. Specifically, by 2025, PATA commits to:

• Encouraging affiliated organisations and businesses of partners to join the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative by spreading the word through media channels by August 2020, by highlighting 5 successful members’ case studies by January 2021 and by including plastics as key component of promoting sustainability in tourism supply chains by June 2021.
• Advising and guiding members to better manage plastics in their operations by integrating workshops, toolkits and trainings into Tour Link Project promoting sustainability in the Thai tourism supply chain by June 2021.

“As a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, PATA endorses the common vision to address the root cause of plastic pollution. We recognise that there are many opportunities to solve the plastic problem, but various challenges remain as organisations may want to focus on other sustainability priorities or are not sure of where or how to remove and reduce plastic. Therefore, PATA is committed in helping advise and guide our members to better manage plastics throughout their entire supply chain,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “We encourage all of our members, partners, and affiliated organisations and businesses to join the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. Together, through each of our individual commitments we can overcome the plastic challenge.”

Developed within the framework of the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the One Planet network, a multi-stakeholder partnership to implement SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organisation, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative acts as the tourism sector interface of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which unites more than 450 businesses, governments, and other organisations behind a common vision and targets to address plastic waste and pollution at its source. As such, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative will implement the New Plastics Economy vision, framework and definitions to mobilise the global tourism industry towards concerted significant action against plastic pollution.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative aims to stop plastic ending up as pollution while also reducing the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced. To realise this vision, tourism companies and destinations commit to eliminate the plastic items they don’t need; innovate so all plastics they do need are designed to be safely reused, recycled, or composted; and circulate everything they use to keep it in the economy and out of the environment.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative requires tourism organisations to make a set of concrete and actionable commitments by 2025:

• Eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and items by 2025;
• Take action to move from single-use to reuse models or reusable alternatives by 2025;
• Engage the value chain to move towards 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable;
• Take action to increase the amount of recycled content across all plastic packaging and items used
• Commit to collaborate and invest to increase the recycling and composting rates for plastics
• Report publicly and annually on progress made towards these targets.

By transitioning to circularity in the use of plastics, the tourism sector can make positive contributions like reducing landfill, pollution, natural resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions; raising awareness of conservation among staff and guests to avoid single-use plastic products; influencing their suppliers to produce more sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic products; working with governments to improve local waste infrastructure and community facilities; and creating sustainable livelihoods and long-term community prosperity in harmony with nature.

By taking serious action in a coordinated and determined manner on plastic pollution, the tourism sector can help preserve and protect the places and wildlife that make destinations worth visiting.

Bangkok, Thailand, August 5, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / In the afternoon of Tuesday, August 25th , the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office is hosting a half-day Virtual Destination Mekong Summit, organized by public-private partnership Destination Mekong, with sponsorship of UNWTO Affiliate Member Chameleon Strategies, under the theme of “Balanced Tourism Recovery for a Better Future”. In order to assist businesses during these challenging times, the registration fee has been waived as a gesture of goodwill.

With feedback and significant contributions by members of the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (MeTAG), and a focus on resilience and tourism recovery in the Greater Mekong Subregion, the 1st Destination Mekong Summit aims to give actionable insights and action steps to businesses, operating in the member countries of the Mekong Region. With 15 short sessions, from discussing changing sentiments from source markets China and Japan, recommendations for the meetings sector, latest data and insights for travel businesses, how to communicate to stakeholders in these times, the ever increasing importance of sustainability including climate change, plastic pollution, child protection, and wildlife conservation, as well as a scenario analysis to prepare for the future today.

The Destination Mekong Summit will also be the launchpad of the new #Mekong Memories campaign to create a content cloud of past experiences to inspire people to #TravelTomorrow, and the new Mekong Deals platform to feature non-refundable vouchers sold by travel operators to help survive the crisis, both powered by innovative engagement technology Enwoke. The campaign has been developed together with launch partners Yaana Ventures, Accor Hotels, Minor Hotels, Green Discovery Laos, Memories Group Myanmar, and Hanuman Travel Cambodia – before inviting all travel and tourism businesses regardless of size and type to join.

The format of the Virtual Destination Mekong Summit deploys a ‘condensed content concept’ by not having a series of presentations but engaging in pointed and focused discussions. The objective is to answer burning questions, offer actionable suggestions on how to survive these challenging times, and how to best prepare for an accelerated recovery. The Destination Mekong Summit is emceed by Dr. Jutamas Wisangsing of Perfect Link Consulting, and Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office Executive Director, Mr. Jens Thraenhart.

We designed the Virtual Destination Mekong Summit around a “condensed content concept”, to really address the issues by giving succinct and focused recommendations and action steps. 40 speakers will turn their insights into suggestions for industry stakeholders to act upon.”

The summit will have two short take-away sessions, led by Horwath HTL Global Tourism Practice Leader Mr Siniša Topalović, calling in from Croatia. These two sessions are designed to give delegates a quick view on key ‘dos and don’ts’, drawing on global research of many destinations and travel businesses.

Organized in various chapters of a book, the event is endorsed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and starts with remarks by the Director of Asia Pacific of the UNWTO, Mr. Harry Hwang. The opening keynote is given by the author of the upcoming book “Travel & Covid-19”, Professor Dr. Simon Hudson of South Carolina University in the USA, looking at case studies and best practices from all over the world.

Reflections from past crisis’ and ideas will be discussed by HE Mr Weearasak Kowsurat, Senator and former Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand and HE Mr Htay Aung, former Minister of Hotels and Tourism, moderated by the former Director for Asia Pacific of the UNWTO, Mr. Xu Jing. Mr. Steven Schipani from the Southeast Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will lead the following session with the Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Dr. Ha Van Sieu, and the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, Mr. Rathasak Thong, about economic development measures as well as tourism recovery in the region.

Communicating during these COVID-19 is a challenge for many businesses – from branding, marketing, and positioning, Publisher of eGlobal Travel Media, will moderate a session with Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mr Tanes Petsuwan and Mr. Michael Marshall, Chief Commerical Officer of Minor Hotels, operating hotel brands such as Anantara and Avani. When to sell, how to discount, what message to send are all questions that we look to get answered during this insightful session.

When international travel resumes in the Mekong Region, two source markets are said to have great potential: China and Japan. We will be hearing from the Co-Founder and CEO of leading china travel marketing firm Dragon Trail Interactive, Mr. George Cao, and the Chief Research Officer of JTB Consulting, the research division of leading Japanese tour operator JTB. The session will be moderated by Senor Editor of Travel Weekly Asia, Ms Xinyi Liang-Pholsena, to get questions answered how to market to Chinese and Japanese consumers post COVID-19, how to build relationships with the trade now, and changing consumer sentiments in both key source markets.

Senior Editor of TTG Asia, Ms Marissa Caruthers will interview Mr Kelvin Lee of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Mr Bernard Kee of leading hotel data firm STR about the latest trends and insights, and what businesses from hotels, tours, and restaurants should do to survive the crisis and how to best prepare for recovery.

Sustainability is something that needs to be part of the tourism recovery strategies, and it is an opportunity for many destinations to re-evaluate their strategies. With the sighting of animals and plants that seem to have gotten lost in the era of over-tourism, the environment seems to have recovered very quickly during these few weeks. While this is a big topic that warrants a deeper discussion, General Manager of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Mr Roi Ariel, attempts to give some key action steps for businesses to focus on plastic pollution, climate change, child protection, and wildlife conservation, by drawing insights and recommendations from ECPAT International Program Head Ms Gabriella Kuehn, and the Ecotourism Advisor of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Ms Janina Bikova.

Responsible tourism, as well as stakeholder engagement and collaboration are and have been priority pillars of the work of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office since its inception over two decades ago. Yaana and Khiri Travel Chairman Mr William Niemeijer discusses the importance of industry collaboration, especially in times like these, with Mr. Ianic Menard, Accor’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Upper Southeast Asia, and Mr. Jens Thraenhart, Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office. The award-winning Mekong Moments and Mekong Mini Movie campaigns, es well as the new Mekong Memories campaign and Mekong Deals platform are examples of innovative collaborative efforts, as is the Experience Mekong Collection. Operated by Destination Mekong, the Experience Mekong Collection has curated over 350 small responsible travel businesses and social enterprises in the six member countries. For the 3rd year, in collaboration with Thailand-based Mahidol University, the six Experience Mekong Showcases will be announced during the Destination Mekong Summit, as well as the 1st of three Mekong Heroes every year, recognizing individuals that have made a difference in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism development in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Professor Dr Ian Yeoman of Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand, will look at the Future by walking delegates through a scenario analysis. Lonely Planet author Mr Nick Ray, who has traveled all Mekong countries extensively will engage in a discussion with Professor Yeoman on how businesses can use the information to prepare for the future now.

Finally, in a very special session, Ms. Gloria Guevara, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), former UNWTO Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rifai, and former Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, Ms Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, and CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Dr Mario Hardy engage in a reflective discussion, moderated by SunX Program founder Professor Geoffrey Lipman, by giving recommendations and opinions to stakeholders in the visitor economy.

The Virtual Destination Mekong Summit is not only for travel and tourism stakeholders in the Greater Mekong Subregion alone. The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) invites travel professionals from both public and private sectors from all over the world to join us on online on August 25th. The registration fee has been waived, so registration is free at

About the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office:
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), located in Bangkok, was set up with funding from the governments of the six Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries – Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The MTCO, which operates on annual financial contributions from each GMS country, acts as the secretariat for the GMS Tourism Working Group, comprising of senior officials of the six GMS countries’ National Tourism Organizations, to coordinate and facilitate sustainable tourism development of the GMS, and promotion of the Mekong region as a single travel and tourism destination, in collaboration with the public and private sectors. The MTCO manages its award-winning MekongTourism.org digital platform as a one-stop platform to promote responsible and sustainable tourism in the region, as well as the annual Mekong Tourism Forum, whose hosting is rotated among GMS countries.

About Destination Mekong:
Destination Mekong was created in 2017 to promote the Lancang-Mekong region, comprising of Cambodia, PR China (Provinces of Guangxi and Yunnan), Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam as a single tourism destination to stimulate responsible and sustainable development and investment, and drive inclusive growth. Endorsed by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office and aligned with the mandate of the regional collaborative tourism framework of the six-member governments of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, Destination Mekong executes targeted projects and initiatives, including Mekong Moments, Mekong Mini Movie Festival, Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST), Experience Mekong Collection, Mekong Heroes, and Mekong Trends, with feedback from the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (MeTAG) and via public-private partnership investment structure, led by UNWTO Affiliate Member Chameleon Strategies.

Bangkok, Thailand, August 4, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Capella Bangkok is now accepting reservations for stays from October 1^st 2020. The highly anticipated opening is Capella Hotels and Resorts’ first property in Thailand. The award-winning hospitality group focuses on crafting authentic cultural experiences for its guests, combining a legacy of thoughtful design with the highest level of personalised service.

Situated within the prestigious Chao Phraya Estate, Capella Bangkok offers 101 guestrooms, suites and villas, each of which boasts uninterrupted views of Thailand’s revered river. The esteemed location was selected due to its access to the storied Chao Phraya River and Charoenkrung Road – Bangkok’s oldest paved road where tradition and cultural heritage meet the city’s trendiest cafes, bars and art galleries. Guests can truly enjoy a glimpse into the soul of the city at Capella Bangkok, as a dedicated team of Capella Culturist crafts enriching Capella Curates experiences centred around the dynamic neighbourhood and its intriguing residents.

Designed by renowned architects Andy Miller and Richard Scott Wilson of Hamiltons International with interiors by celebrated tastemakers BAMO, Capella Bangkok is a cocoon of tranquillity in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Ranging from 61 sq.m. to 595 sq.m, each of the sophisticated accommodation is fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony or verandah, allowing guests to take in the spectacle of the Chao Phraya river. Every riverside Villa and Verandah accommodation also feature an outdoor jacuzzi plunge pool.

To mark the unveiling, Capella Bangkok is offering A Star Is Born debut rate of THB 17,500++ per night for stays starting October 1^st 2020 onwards. The opening offer includes:

o   Daily resort credits ranging from THB 3,000 to THB 8,000 nett per day* to be used on accommodation, dining or spa treatments
o   Round-trip limousine transfers for villa guests
o   Daily breakfast for two in the room or at the restaurant
o   Seamless flexible check-in and check-out times
o   Complimentary pressing of up to five pieces of clothes per stay
o   Complimentary non-alcoholic minibar

*Daily resort credit is dependent on room category

Guests can use daily resort credits at all restaurants, including the much-awaited Côte by Mauro Colagreco, whose three Michelin-starred restaurant in France, Mirazur, claimed first place in “The World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards” in 2019. Côte will please bon vivants with its contemporary reinterpretation of traditional recipes and culinary heritage of the French and Italian riviera. Testifying to the unique, time-honoured Thai recipes of the district is the alfresco dining Phra Nakhon restaurant, while Stella will serve bespoke patisserie and libations staged in a vivid, ethereal boudoir.

“We are thrilled to be launching Capella Bangkok at Charoenkrung, an enchanting riverside enclave,” said John Blanco, General Manager of Capella Bangkok. “In this stimulating setting, curious travellers will enjoy encounters that echo the past while being anchored in the present. We want to encourage learning and exploration, give back to the community and create emotional connections that stay with guests long after they check out.”