Category: Latest Travel News

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 20, 2020 (travelindex.com) – Organisations and individuals making outstanding contributions towards the successful promotion of the travel and tourism industry throughout the Asia Pacific region are encouraged to submit entries to the PATA Gold Awards 2020. The deadline for submissions is May 14, 2020. The PATA Gold Awards Dinner and Presentation will take place during PATA Travel Mart 2020.

Sponsored by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) for the 25th consecutive year, the PATA Gold Awards sets industry standards for excellence and innovation. In 2020, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is delighted to be enhancing the PATA Gold Awards by introducing several new categories in order to reinforce its position as innovative and prestigious award for the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry.

PATA will present three Grand Title Winners for best of show entries in the following broad categories: Marketing, Sustainability and Human Capital Development with 23 Gold Awards to be bestowed. New categories that are now open for submissions include Climate Change Initiative, Tourism for All, and Youth Empowerment Initiative.

Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of MGTO, said, “The relentless growth trajectory of tourism has opened new avenues of development, however by its nature the industry is prone to disruption in the face of events like the COVID-19 outbreak. As a tourism city, Macao is glad to support the PATA Gold Awards, and encourages government and private tourism stakeholders to join this platform. By showcasing its best practices, organizations and individuals can contribute to our ongoing dialogue on how we can work together to build a vibrant, yet sustainable and resilient tourism industry in these volatile times.”

“We are sincerely grateful to MGTO for sponsoring the PATA Gold Awards 2020 and for their continued commitment to a responsible and sustainable tourism industry. These awards provides us with the perfect opportunity to recognise and reward the very best the Asia Pacific travel industry has to offer,” said Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO of PATA. “The winners of these awards set industry standards for excellence and innovation and serve as examples for others to follow. This year, we have streamlined the number of awards to truly highlight the accomplishments of the winners, therefore I encourage all organisations that demonstrate excellence in conception, creativity and fulfilment to submit their applications today.”

Winner privileges:
– Gain a major boost to the organisation’s marketing and public relations profile
– Attract valuable media coverage in various PATA communications channels including the weekly PATA newsletter, press releases and social media channels
– Entitled to leverage the prestigious PATA Gold Awards Winner logo on collateral materials
– Highlights of the winning entries on display at PATA Travel Mart for delegates to enjoy
– Featured in the winners’ showcase booklet and PATA Gold Awards video

Judged by an international panel of experts, the Gold Awards recognise exceptional achievement in three broad categories with 23 Gold Awards and three Grand Title Winners on offer:

– Marketing (14 Gold Awards and one Grand Title Winner)
– Sustainability (8 Gold Awards and one Grand Title Winner)
– Human Capital Development (one Gold Award and one Grand Title Winner)

The PATA Gold Awards’ details, brochure, and information about past winners are all available at www.PATA.org/goldawards

For further information, please contact goldawards@PATA.org.

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 800 member organisations, including 95 government, state and city tourism bodies, 20 international airlines and airports, 102 hospitality organisations and 70 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 35 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 22 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATA mPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights 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. PATA’s Annual Theme for the 2020 calendar year is Partnerships for Tomorrow.

Contact information:
PATA
Paul Pruangkarn
Director – Communications & External Affairs
+66 (02) 658-2000 | communications@PATA.org | Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 20, 2020 (travelindex.com) – by Imtiaz Muqbil – Prominent Bangkok-based photographer David Lau has captured the grandeur of an East African safari in a catalogue of images exhibited in Bangkok between Feb 20-23. More than just proving his professional prowess, Mr. Lau has raised the value of his artistry to a more sublime level by including reflections from a well-known Buddhist monk on the deeper wisdom embedded within.

The result makes each image an instrument of peace and understanding, both internal and external.

The exhibition of more than 100 photographs taken in the national parks of Kenya and Tanzania was held at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in central Bangkok. At the launch, guests were given a copy of a printed publication with the photographs. In his introductory message, David said he was fascinated by the amazing wildlife and cultural diversity. “The feeling of space and peace with only the sounds of birds and animals and wide-open vistas, watching those amazing animals doing what they do best in their natural environment was one of the best experiences of my life and a memory that will stay with me for a long time.

The Buddhist monk is Venerable Vajiramedhi, a highly-respected scholar and prolific writer. He says in his introduction, “Nature, Certainty of Nature and of Nature’s Laws, and Dharma. These three words are inter-related in meaning. Certainty of Nature and of Natures’ Law is Natural Law. Behaviour in accordance with Natural Law until achieving the peaceful life, that is Dharma (or Morality).” He adds, “The magnificent pictures of nature taken by David Lau likewise such a way of Dharma. Watching each picture will feel fresh, cool, relax, and delightful pleasant, similar for sense of living for nature and all of life which bring about mercy and peacefulness to be fulfilled in mind.”

In fact, Venerable Vajiramedhi’s words have universal truths; the same values and wisdoms are contained in all faiths, beliefs and indigenous cultures without exception. Each is rooted in a connection with Nature as the fundamental premise.

In an interview with this editor, David cited being in awe of a borderless world – the freedom enjoyed by animals and birds as they migrate seamlessly with the seasons. The 64-year-old lensman’s full-time job is President of DO Food Co Ltd, a catering and food supply company. Originally from Hong Kong, he has resided in Thailand for 40 years, producing earlier photographic books on Mongolia, Bhutan, the Maldives, Tibet and Yunnan Province of China. All the proceeds of his works, (36 million baht or nearly 1.25 million USD) are donated to Buddhist charities.

In her speech at the launch, Jeniffer K Njiru, Charge d’Affaires of the Kenyan embassy in Bangkok cited the potential of promoting Thai tourism to Africa. In a show of solidarity, she cited the economic, cultural and political merits of each African country with a diplomatic mission in Bangkok: South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia and Ethiopia. In turn, Thailand, too, is seeking enhanced economic and tourism linkages with Africa as part of its strategy to diversify its trade and investment portfolio and take advantage of emerging markets in that vast continent.

To promote two-way tourism, Thailand and the African countries will have to cross some basic hurdles. Only three airlines fly from Africa to Thailand (Egyptair, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian). A visa-free travel arrangement is in place only for bilateral travel between Thailand and South Africa. Asked about the possibility of visa relaxation to Kenya and other African countries, Ms Nijru said, “This is the subject of ongoing discussions.”

David Lau’s photographic brilliance proved, however, that there is much more to travel & tourism than just job creation, income generation and economic development. If the industry is to walk the talk of its claim to be a pathway to peace, it will have to strive for a higher purpose. A door is now open for national tourism boards and all forms of travel and tourism products, services and media to promote not just flora and fauna, culture and heritage but much more exalted and necessary causes such as peace, friendship and spirituality of the ecosystem.

The unique editorial-cum-philosophical approach of David Lau’s images could revolutionise not just tourism flows but the industry at large.

For published at Travel Impact Newswire here

By Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President SUNx Malta : Let me start by making it clear that today and for the coming months every government and industry action must be focused on a total response, repeat total response, to the global enemy of COVID 19. To health issues: livelihood issues: family issues and business survival issues. It is war. Nothing is more important than coherent national and international response, where co-ordinated, joined up action is the only path open.”

As the pandemic crisis intensifies, pulling the world economy towards recession it’s clear that the Travel & Tourism sector is in the centre of the maelstrom. Airlines are slashing flights: Cruise companies are cancelling programs: Hotels are seeing bookings evaporate. And with it the entire Travel Ecosystem of airports, ports, stations, along with meetings, sports events, theme parks, music festivals and all the attendant hospitality services for feeding and entertaining travellers. Some 10% of the global economy, driven directly and indirectly by this sector is grinding to a halt. Tens of millions of jobs and household livelihoods are threatened. For tourism dependent destinations – like small island states in the Caribbean and Asia or developing countries in Africa, who have pinned their future on the tourism card, massive portions of the economy have simply disappeared.

And it is right that travel is curtailed when health authorities conclude this will help contain the spread of the pandemic. It is necessary, to play our part, in dealing with the urgent unknown enemy of COVID 19, that presents an immediate massive threat to humanity. On the strategic reality side, the health experts led by WHO, see a pattern of widespread growth: slow containment and development of a response. This will take time for research: regulatory approval and scaling to global production levels.

Yet we also know that no matter how serious this crisis is, business will eventually restart, and all industry activity will have to be reset to respond smartly. It may take a year or more, no one knows but when the end comes, we will be ready to pick up the pieces, adapt our socio-economic patterns and get on with life. Travel & Tourism will reignite and continue to be a pivotal part of global socio-economic development. It is in our DNA.

BUT and it is a big BUT, the other massive crisis facing humanity, Climate Change, has not gone away; and it will not go away. It is existential and notwithstanding the media dominating, very real devastation of COVID19, we simply cannot afford to take our eye off the climate ball.

To use an analogy, while COVID 19 is like a knife into the body of humanity, it is not an existential threat, it’s a very serious wound BUT the Climate Crisis is different, it is more like the case of the unsuspecting frog being gradually killed in a pot of slowly but inexorably heating water. There’s no reaction. No escape. No recovery. We have 7-10 years to get on the Paris 1.5oC, Climate Neutral trajectory. But only if we act much more decisively now.

At SUNx Malta we think the sector can walk and chew gum at the same time, and now is the very moment to demonstrate that. When all historical operational and development assumptions are being re-evaluated and countries communities: companies and consumers are re-casting their future Travel & Tourism related plans and actions. It is a perfect time to build Climate Friendly Travel into tomorrow’s new operating equation.

We have conceived Climate Friendly Travel as a vehicle to help sector transformation – measured to manage the good and bad impacts coherently – particularly the carbon related impacts: green to reflect the SDG targets: 2050 proof to tie into the Paris 1.5oC trajectory. We believe all Travel must meet these criteria going forward.

Together with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), we have issued a Report on the State of the Sector response to the Climate Crisis, that calls for action now and action faster. And with the support of Malta’s Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Julia Farrugia Portelli, who has declared her country to be a global Centre of Climate Friendly Travel, we are deploying tools to help the entire sector in its essential transformation. Last month we convened 35 global experts in Malta who underscored the real urgency of a coherent response, starting now. We are building a Registry for Climate Friendly Travel Ambitions for the sector – linked to the UNFCCC Registry, to support commitment. We will showcase good practice to encourage others. We will train 100,000 Strong Climate Champions from the eco island of Gozo, Malta, to deploy across all UN States by 2030, to launch a worldwide education and awareness initiative. We are joining with partners inside and outside the sector in SDG 17 Agreements to advance these goals and we are seeking other likeminded partners to help reinforce and spread the Climate Friendly Travel message.

What can Travel & Tourism stakeholders do to lock into this transformation? Commit to Climate Neutral 2050 & implement a Climate Friendly Travel carbon reduction program: file that program on SUNx Malta’s Climate Friendly Travel Ambitions Registry & trust bright young green enthusiasts to keep it up to date and help you fulfil your commitment. We’ll help as well: we are all in this together. This was the half century global campaign of our inspirational founder Maurice Strong, the father of sustainable development. His vison is our mission.

So do not despair about the dramatically dangerous threat of COVID 19 – be vigilant, we will prevail and rekindle the positive course of human development BUT let’s at the same time, respond urgently and respond now to the existential threat of Climate Change. We can and we must do both in synch.

SUNx Malta is a legacy for the late Maurice Strong, father of Sustainable Development: its goal is to advance Climate Friendly Travel – measured: green: 2050 proof. Geoffrey Lipman is former Assistant Secretary General UNWTO; President WTTC; Executive Director IATA.

Madrid (Spain) – March 20, 2020 (travelindex.com) – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hosted a high-level virtual meeting yesterday, bringing together key UN agencies, the chairs of its Executive Council and Regional Commissions, and private sector leaders. Tourism is the economic sector that has been hardest hit by COVID-19 and all participants accepted an invitation from the UNWTO Secretary-General to become part of a Global Tourism Crisis Committee, formed as UNWTO prepares to launch a global guide for recovery. The UNWTO-led Committee will hold regular virtual meetings, reflecting the need for coordinated and efficient action by the private and public sectors, governments, international financing institutions, and the United Nations.

Since the start of the pandemic, UNWTO has been working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to guide the tourism sector as it faces up to the COVID-19 challenge. This meeting, hosted in Madrid but conducted virtually for reasons of public health, further emphasized the call for international cooperation to underscore a united response based on the latest public health recommendations and reflecting the deep economic ripple effect and social cost of the pandemic.

Unprecedented

“This unprecedented public health emergency has already become an economic crisis which will come at a social cost”, said UNWTO’s Zurab Pololikashvili. The Secretary-General added that tourism “is the hardest hit sector and all our best estimates have been overtaken by the changing reality”.

Stay home today so you can #TravelTomorrow

Without any certainty over how long this crisis will last or what the final economic and structural impact on tourism might be, all participants were united in their deep concern over the millions of jobs that are at risk of being lost. With small and medium-sized enterprises making up 80% of the sector worldwide, the wider social impact of the crisis will go far beyond tourism, making it a key concern for the international community.

Coordination is paramount

Tourism has proven in the past to be a reliable partner to lead recovery for societies and communities, but only if the economic policies of governments and the support packages of donor and financing agencies reflect how the sector touches on every part of society.

“The livelihoods of millions of people and their families are at stake, be it in urban centres or in remote communities where tourism is sometimes the main income generator and a vehicle for social inclusion, protecting heritage and kickstarting development”, Mr Pololikashvili said.

This requires political recognition and cooperation across ministries, involving the public and private sectors and set against the backdrop of wider action plans by financial institutions and regional bodies.

All welcomed UNWTO’s tagline to ‘Stay home today so you can travel tomorrow’, which is promoted on digital media through the hashtag #TravelTomorrow.

In the coming days, UNWTO will release a set of recommendations for recovery. The document will highlight the steps governments and other authorities need to take to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector and to then accelerate recovery.

Yesterday’s meeting will be factored into UNWTO’s recommendations. These will be complemented by a dynamic component aimed at engaging with innovators across the world through an innovation challenge centred on tourism’s response. Launched with the support of WHO, this challenge will identify new ideas that can be implemented to help tourism return to sustainable growth.

Participants in Thursday’s coordination meeting agreed that this is “a shared challenge that can only be tackled by working together, with recovery dependent on a joint effort on a scale never seen before”.

Global Tourism Crisis Committee

The participants accepted UNWTO’s invitation to be part a global coordination committee which will hold regular virtual meetings to evaluate and advance recommendations as the situation evolves.

The UN’s key tourism related agencies will all be participating, along with WHO and the main representatives of the airline and maritime transportation sectors, as well as the private sector.

UNWTO members are a critical part of this committee, represented through the regional chairs and the chair of the Executive Council.

From within the United Nations, the virtual meeting was attended by WHO Director of Health and Multilateral Partnerships Gaudenz Silberschmidt (sitting in for Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus), the Secretary-General of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), Dr. Fang Liu, and the Secretary-General of the IMO (International Maritime Organization), Mr. Kitack Lim

UNWTO Members were represented by the Chair of UNWTO Executive Council Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya, and by the Chairs of UNWTO’s Regional Commissions: for Africa, Mr. Ronald K. Chitotela, Minister of Tourism, Zambia; for the Americas, Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; for Asia and the Pacific, Mohd Daud, Undersecretary of Tourism Policy and International Affairs, Malaysia; for Europe, Harry Theoharis, Minister of Tourism, Greece; and for the Middle East, Mohammed Khamis Al Muhairi, Undersecretary for Tourism, UAE. Special interventions were made by Reyes Maroto, Minister of Tourism, Spain, and by Ahmed bin Aqil Alkhateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia.

Representing the private sector were the Chair of the Board of UNWTO Affiliate Members and also Director of IFEMA Ana Larrañaga; Alexandre de Juniac, Director-General of the International Air Transport Association, (IATA); Adam Goldstein, Global Chair, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA); Agnela Gittens, Director General of the Airports Council International (ACI), and Jeff Pool from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

To get the latest UNWTO News, in particular to read updates on the Covid-19 pandemic, click here…

London (United Kingdom) – A staggering one million jobs are being lost every day in the Travel & Tourism sector due to the sweeping effect of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). According to the London-based international organisation, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, the growing job losses are affecting every level of the industry and are gathering pace, as countries go into lockdown to tackle the virus.

WTTC says the vast closure of hotels, suspension of the majority of international and domestic airline flights, cessation of cruise lines and growing global travel bans are having a catastrophic ‘domino effect’ hitting huge numbers of suppliers worldwide.

Small and medium sized businesses at every level within Travel & Tourism, such as tour operators, travel agents and sole-traders, are especially vulnerable.

The organisation, which is already in talks with over 75 governments around the world, has called for countries to urgently do more to intervene to make clearer how businesses can access potentially life-saving loans, and tax breaks, to prevent them from imminent collapse.

WTTC is mindful that while the Travel & Tourism sector is facing an economic meltdown the coronavirus pandemic is primarily a global health disaster, which governments are doing all they can to contain the spread and reduce the number of deaths.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “While the priority for governments is to keep people safe, this global health catastrophe means a million people a day in the Travel & Tourism industry alone are losing their jobs and facing potential ruin due to the disastrous impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is heartbreaking that the livelihoods of millions of people who have dedicated their lives to the Travel & Tourism sector are being decimated; from waiters to taxi drivers, guides to chefs and caterers, pilots to cleaners.

“The relentless cascade of job losses is plunging millions of families into terrible hardship and debt, fearful of how to buy food and pay their bills. The domino effect of Covid-19 is right now having a massive impact, wiping out an entire economic sector.

“Businesses large and small are being forced to rip up their three-year plans and focus on a three-month fight for survival on a daily basis, while people’s jobs are wiped out hour by hour. We fear this situation will only deteriorate unless more action is taken immediately by governments to address it.

“While some governments have been quick to respond with promises of help, the majority of businesses still have no idea how to access these potentially life-saving loans and tax breaks.

“Today we call on governments around the world to make crystal clear how businesses can access funds, which can prevent the hemorrhage of jobs throughout the Travel & Tourism sector.”

The plea for urgent action came following an analysis by WTTC of its members, which represents every level of the Travel & Tourism sector. Up to 50 million jobs throughout the world are at immediate risk, with up to 320 million jobs facing the impact of the dramatic loss of business.

According to WTTC’s latest research Travel & Tourism contributes to 10.4% of Global GDP, is directly responsible for generating one in 10 of the world’s jobs and, for eight successive years, has outpaced the growth of the global economy.

Earlier this week, WTTC announced a three-point plan for governments to take to combat the devastating effect of Covid-19.

This comprised:
1. Protect the salaries, incomes and jobs of the millions of people who are at risk
2. Extend vital, unlimited interest-free loans to provide liquidity to large and small Travel & Tourism businesses to prevent them from collapse
3. Waive or remove all dues, taxes or fiscal charges for 12 months that affect cash flow which can be critical to businesses survival.

Le Chaland (Mauritius) – March 19, 2020 (travelindex.com) – The recently opened Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort is nestled on Le Chaland beach on the Southeast coast of the island. Harmonising with both the natural scenery and the history of its location, the resort combines modernity with indigenous design while retaining a true sense of tranquillity and escapism.

Design highlights include:

– The use of indigenous and reclaimed materials such as antique basalt stone throughout public spaces
– Architecturally, the boundaries between inside and outside are softened by tranquil water gardens and open air courtyards
– Three dining options include Karokan bar, Horizon and the signature restaurant Sea.Fire.Salt, each with distinct styles showcasing Mauritian design
– A soft furnishing colour scheme evoking the soothing blue tones of the ocean and the island’s golden sandy beaches in Jim Thompson silks
– Rooms & suites boast pared back luxury with large windows proffering abundant natural lighting to frame views of the ocean or lush tropical gardens
– A 30 metre o-zone treated infinity swimming pool

Geneva (Switzerland) – March 20, 2020 (travelindex.com) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is appealing to governments in Africa and the Middle East, as part of a worldwide campaign, to provide emergency support to airlines as they fight for survival due to the evaporation of air travel demand as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Stopping the spread of COVID-19 is the top priority of governments. But they must be aware that the public health emergency has now become a catastrophe for economies and for aviation. The scale of the current industry crisis is much worse and far more widespread than 9/11, SARS or the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. Airlines are fighting for survival. Many routes have been suspended in Africa and Middle East and airlines have seen demand fall by as much as 60% on remaining ones. Millions of jobs are at stake. Airlines need urgent government action if they are to emerge from this in a fit state to help the world recover, once COVID-19 is beaten,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

Extensive cost cutting measures are being implemented by the region’s carriers to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19. However, due to flight bans as well as international and regional travel restrictions, airlines’ revenues are plummeting—outstripping the scope of even the most drastic cost containment measures. With average cash reserves of approximately two months in the region, airlines are facing a liquidity and existential crisis. Support measures are urgently needed. On a global basis, IATA estimates that emergency aid of up to $200 billion is required.

IATA is proposing a number of options for governments to consider. They include:

– Direct financial support to passenger and cargo carriers to compensate for reduced revenues and liquidity attributable to travel restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19;
– Loans, loan guarantees and support for the corporate bond market by governments or central banks. The corporate bond market is a vital source of finance, but the eligibility of corporate bonds for central bank support needs to be extended and guaranteed by governments to provide access for a wider range of companies.
– Tax relief: Rebates on payroll taxes paid to date in 2020 and/or an extension of payment terms for the rest of 2020, along with a temporary waiver of ticket taxes and other Government-imposed levies.

“Several governments in Africa and the Middle East have already committed national aid for COVID-19 including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Nigeria and Mauritius. Our ask is that airlines, which are essential to all modern economies, are given urgent consideration. This will help keep them alive and ensure airline staff – and people working in allied sectors – have jobs to come back to at the end of the crisis. It will enable global supply chains to continue functioning and provide the connectivity that tourism and trade will depend on if they are to contribute to rapid post-pandemic economic growth,“ said Muhammad Al Bakri, IATA Regional Vice President Africa, Middle East.

Africa’s air transport industry’s economic contribution is estimated at US$55.8 billion supporting 6.2 million jobs and contributing 2.6% to GDP. In the Middle East air transport’s economic contribution is estimated at US$130 billion supporting 2.4 million jobs and contributing 4.4% to GDP.

COVID-19 Effects by Region

AFRICA
Overview
– Since the end of January thousands of passenger flights have been cancelled in Africa. This is expected to increase exponentially with the implementation of additional measures in different countries.
– International bookings in Africa are down roughly 20% in March and April, domestic bookings have fallen by about 15% in March and 25% in April, according to the latest data
– African airlines had lost US$4.4 billion in revenue as at 11 March 2020.
– Ticket refunds have increased by 75% in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 (01 February – 11 March)

Country Specific Analysis
– South Africa: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario we published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 6M loss in passenger volumes and US$1.2 billion loss in base revenues in South Africa. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk over 102,000 jobs in the country.
– Kenya: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario we published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 622,000 loss in passenger volumes and US$125 million loss in base revenues in Kenya. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk over 36,800 jobs in the country. If the situation spreads further, approximately 1.6 million passengers and US$320 million of revenues can be lost.
– Ethiopia: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario we published on 5 March, the disruptions from the COVID-19 could result in 479,000 loss in passenger volumes and US$79 million loss in base revenues in Ethiopia. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk over 98,400 jobs in the country. If the situation spreads further, approximately 1.2 million passengers and US$202 million of revenues can be lost.
– Nigeria: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario we published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 853,000 loss in passenger volumes and US$170 million loss in base revenues in Nigeria. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk over 22,200 jobs in the country. If the situation spreads further, approximately 2.2 million passengers and US$434 million of revenues can be lost.
– Rwanda: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 79,000 loss in passenger volumes and US$ 20.4 million loss in base revenues in Rwanda. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk about 3,000 jobs in the country. If the situation spreads further, approximately 201,000 passengers and US$52 million of revenues can be lost.

MIDDLE EAST
Overview
– Since the end of January 16,000 passenger flights have been cancelled in the Middle East. This is expected to increase exponentially with the additional measures in different countries
– So far, international bookings in the Middle East are down 40% year-over-year in March and April, 30% year-over-year in May and June. Domestic bookings are down roughly 20% in March and April, 40% in May and June, according to the latest data available
– Middle East airlines had lost US$7.2 billion revenue as at 11 March 2020
– Ticket refunds have increased by 75% in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 (01 February – 11 March)

Country specific analysis
– Bahrain: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 1.1 million loss in passenger volumes and US$204 million loss in base revenues in Bahrain. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk about 5,100 jobs in the country.
– Kuwait: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 2.9 million loss in passenger volumes and US$547 million loss in base revenues in Kuwait. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk over 19,800 jobs in the country.
– Oman: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 2 million loss in passenger volumes and US$328 million loss in base revenues in Oman. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk about 36,700 jobs in the country.
– Qatar: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 2.3 million loss in passenger volumes and US$746 million loss in base revenues in Qatar. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk about 33,200 jobs in the country.
– Saudi Arabia: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 15.7 million loss in passenger volumes and US$3.1 billion loss in base revenues in Saudi Arabia. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk over 140,300 jobs in the country.
– United Arab Emirates: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 13.6 million loss in passenger volumes and US$2.8 billion loss in base revenues in the United Arab Emirates. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk over 163,000 jobs in the country.
– Lebanon: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from the COVID-19 could result in 1.9 million loss in passenger volumes and US$365 million loss in base revenues in Lebanon. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk about 51,700 jobs in the country.
– Jordan: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in approximately 645,000 loss in passenger volumes and US$118.5 million loss in base revenues in Jordan. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk at least 6,100 jobs in the country. If the situation escalates further, 1.6M passengers and US$ 302.8M revenues can be lost.
– Egypt: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 6.3 million loss in passenger volumes and US$1 billion loss in base revenues in Egypt. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk about 138,000 jobs in the country:
– Morocco: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 4.9 million loss in passenger volumes and US$728 million loss in base revenues in Morocco. The disruptions to air travel could also put at risk over 225,000 jobs in the country.
– Tunisia: Consistent with the ‘Extensive Spread’ Scenario published on 5 March, the disruptions from COVID-19 could result in 2.2 million loss in passenger volumes and US$297 million loss in base revenues in Tunisia.

For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org

Paris (France) – March 18, 2020 (travelindex.com) – Mother, activist and Oscar-winning Hollywood actress will star in the luxury brand’s new global marketing campaign launching Spring 2020. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce a new Global Brand Ambassador – the Oscar-winning actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Susan Sarandon. In this unique role, Ms. Sarandon will star in a global brand campaign that will portray the transformative power of travel, connecting Fairmont’s history and majestic hotels with modern sensibilities and the dreams of a new generation of travelers. The campaign is expected to be revealed in key markets around the world in Spring 2020.

“Fairmont and Susan Sarandon share a spirit of adventure, a passion for thinking globally and acting locally, and a history of turning words into action,” said Sharon Cohen, Vice President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “We chose Susan to represent the essence of Fairmont – representing a strength of character and timeless sophistication.”
The collaboration between Ms. Sarandon and the Fairmont brand will focus on their shared values. Both Fairmont and Ms. Sarandon are dedicated to professional excellence and award-winning achievement. With Oscar, BAFTA, and SAG awards, along with a filmography of over 100 films, Susan Sarandon continues to inspire audiences with new work, including roles in The Meddler, The Jesus Rolls and Ray Donovan.

“It is a privilege to work with Fairmont, a company for whose values I have great respect and whose extraordinary hotels are a joy to experience,” said Ms. Sarandon. “Together we hope to convey a sense of life as a grand journey that we hope will be meaningful and inspiring to guests and fans of Fairmont around the world.”

Similarly, Ms. Sarandon is known among her industry as a trailblazer who leads with her heart. From her early work in the cult classic film, Thelma & Louise, to her recent performance as the face of Roger Vivier’s autumn/winter 2019 campaign, and starring in the 2016 music video “Fire”, by French electronic-pop duo Justice, Ms. Sarandon consistently portrays strong characters with independence, grace and great authenticity – qualities that Fairmont holds in high esteem.

Fairmont also shares Ms. Sarandon’s commitment to environmental concerns, and her passion for exploration. Fairmont’s first hotels, which can easily be described as grand castles, were born in the rugged hills of California and the majestic Canadian Rockies. The intrepid William Cornelius Van Horne chose the site of the Fairmont Banff Springs with the remark, “If we can’t export the scenery, we’ll import the tourists.”

Fairmont’s pioneering approach to hospitality extends to its mission for preserving and protecting the landscapes it calls home. Nearly 30 years ago, Fairmont became the first luxury hotel brand with a comprehensive and global sustainability program, that now forms part of the Accor’s Planet 21 program. Along the way, the brand has built an enviable reputation as a company that continuously invests in its colleagues, guests, and destinations in order to provide genuine hospitality and authentically local guest experiences in diverse parts of the world, without compromising long-term sustainability and responsible tourism. Over the last few years, standout initiatives have included the brand’s 2015 pledge in coordination with WWF to reduce CO2 emissions, its 2018 commitment to ban the use of single-use plastic straws and its ever popular Bee Sustainable program, launched in 2008, which focuses on bee habitat protection and pollination.

The new partnership with Ms. Sarandon further builds on Fairmont’s history of connections in the world of cinema. Generations of filmmakers and directors have focused their cameras on Fairmont properties to portray luxury accommodations that truly represent their destinations. As part of its Fairmont Loves Film event series, the brand has also worked with film director and screenwriter Gia Coppola as well as artist Cuba Tornado Scott, who created a short film at Fairmont San Francisco exploring Fairmont’s historic connections to the world of cinema and the attachment to the brand’s legendary hotels.

Several Fairmont hotels, such as Fairmont San Francisco, The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London and Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York have also achieved impressive film credits. A few of the more high profile and recent movies shot on location at Fairmont hotels include Ocean’s 8, American Hustle, The Post, Molly’s Game Spotlight, Stan & Ollie, Almost Famous, The Great Gatsby, Home Alone 2, Bride Wars, 50 Shades of Grey, and Notting Hill. Fairmont hotels also appear regularly on the smaller screen. For example, on the TV show Suits, character Rachel Zane, played by Meghan Markle, has her wedding at The Plaza in New York City, although the scenes were shot at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Fans of the golden age of film might also spot Fairmont hotels in such movie classics as North by Northwest, River of No Return, Vertigo, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and The French Lieutenant’s Woman. Ms. Sarandon herself has appeared in a number of films shot on-location at Fairmont hotels, including Little Women, The January Man and King of Gypsies.

About Fairmont
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where occasions are celebrated and history is made. Landmark hotels with unrivalled presence, authentic experiences and unforgettable moments have attracted visitors to Fairmont and its destinations since 1907. The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai are but a few of these iconic luxury hotels, forever linked to the special places where they reside. Famous for its engaging service, grand public spaces, locally inspired cuisine and celebrated bars and lounges, Fairmont promises a special brand of thoughtful luxury that will be remembered long after any visit. With a worldwide portfolio of more than 75 hotels, Fairmont also takes great pride in its deep community roots and leadership in sustainability. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique and meaningful experiences in 5,000 hotels, resorts, and residences across 110 countries.

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 18, 2020 (travelindex.com) – The long-running PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards programme is marking its 15th anniversary with title sponsor Hitachi Escalators & Elevators, as well as a fresh set of categories, celebrating the fullness and breadth of the kingdom’s dynamic real estate industry.

To mark the milestone, awards organiser PropertyGuru, Southeast Asia’s leading property technology company, is spreading the wealth of the Awards to companies that demonstrate leadership in various facets of property development, both within and outside Bangkok.

Nominations from the public are now open until Friday, 24 July 2020 ahead of the black-tie gala dinner on 18 September.

In addition to the longstanding awards for Best Developer and Best Boutique Developer, the 2020 competition will celebrate the diversity of companies in the categories of Best Sustainability Developer, Best Breakthrough Developer, Best Lifestyle Developer, Best Commercial Developer, Best Hospitality Developer, Best Industrial Developer, and Best Mixed Use Developer.

The Awards will also introduce new Special Recognition awards to developers that lead by example in sustainability, societal impact, and corporate governance. Companies are enjoined to submit details of their activities for the opportunity to win Special Recognition in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance); Special Recognition in Sustainability Design; Special Recognition in Sustainability Construction; and Special Recognition for Community Projects, as selected by Right To Play Foundation, the Official Charity Partner of the Asia Property Awards.

Other prizes are also in contention this year, including: Best Transit Oriented Development, recognising projects with seamless connectivity to Thailand’s new transport infrastructures, and Best Smart City Block, recognising self-sufficient communities that promote a smart economy and smart logistics. New competitive regional categories will also recognise the most impressive projects in the markets of Chiang Mai and Khao Yai as well as the Southern and North East provinces.

Key dates for the 2020 edition are:
24 July 2020 – Nominations Close
31 July 2020 – Entries Close
10-21 August 2020 – Site Inspections
24-25 August 2020 – Final Judging
17 September 2020 – PropertyGuru Leaders Luncheon
18 September 2020 – Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand
20 November 2020 – Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand

BDO, one of the world’s leading auditing and accounting organisations, will ensure the ethicality, fairness, transparency and credibility of the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards. The BDO Thailand team, led by Paul Ashburn, Co-Managing Partner; Angelina Harinck, Manager, Audit Services; and Komang Indrihapsari, Assistant Manager, Audit Services, will supervise the independent and rigorous judging process.

Originally launched in 2005, the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards is the oldest and longest-running real estate awards programme in the kingdom, having witnessed continuous growth over the years, with nominations from the public reaching as high as 1,500 and receiving entries averaging between 175 and 300 a year.

The 10th anniversary gala dinner took place in 2015 at the Plaza Athenee Bangkok (a Royal Meridien hotel). The same venue –– under its current name, The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok –– hosted the event until 2019, and it will host again in 2020.

The 2020 PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards is supported by platinum sponsor Hitachi Escalators & Elevators; gold sponsors JLL Thailand; official airline partner Thai Airways; official portal partner DDproperty.com; official magazine PropertyGuru Property Report; official charity partner Right to Play; media partners The Bangkok Insight, Hot Magazine, Locanation, and Luxury Society Asia; official PR partner Vivaldi PR; supporting association British Chamber of Commerce Thailand; and official supervisor BDO.

About PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards:
PropertyGuru’s Asia Property Awards, established in 2005, are the region’s most exclusive and prestigious real estate awards programme. The Asia Property Awards are recognised as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence in the Asian property sector. Boasting an independent panel of industry experts and trusted supervisors, the Awards have an unparalleled reputation for being credible, fair and transparent.

In 2020, the Awards is open to 15 property markets around the region. With exclusive gala dinners hosting up to 600 senior industry leaders to recognise excellence within each Asian market, each local awards culminate in the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, which takes place alongside the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit in Bangkok in November 2020.

About PropertyGuru Group:
PropertyGuru Group is Southeast Asia’s leading property technology company and the preferred destination for over 23 million property seekers to find their dream home, every month. PropertyGuru and its Group companies empower property seekers with the widest option of over 2.4 million homes, in-depth insights and solutions that enable them to make confident property decision across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Nairobi (Kenya) – March 18, 2020 (travelindex.com) – The travel restrictions announced on Sunday in Kenya will lock out residents of countries that account for 88 percent of foreign travellers to Kenya, hurting Kenya Airways and the wider tourism industry.

The government said that for the next 30 days, only Kenyan citizens and foreigners with valid resident permits will be allowed entry and they will either self-quarantine or go into government-run quarantine facility in the wake of the spread of the Coronavirus.

President Uhuru Kenyatta Sunday said his government was suspending travel from any country with reported COVID-19 cases, adding that the ban will take effect within 48 hours and remain in place for at least 30 days.

This has the potential to affect incoming travel from tens of countries countries that shipped in 2.84 million visitors to Kenya last year or 87.6 percent of the 3.1 visitors that entered the country via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

This will prompt Kenya Airways to ground flights and cut costs as hoteliers mull over cutting jobs on reduced bed occupancy in the face of the pandemic that has restricted global travel.

Some 160,000 people worldwide have been infected and almost 6,400 have died in an outbreak that has affected more than 140 countries.

In Kenya, confirmed cases of Coronavirus, a disease with an estimated mortality rate of two percent, rose to three with 14 persons under State quarantine and three others categorised as suspects. The travel restrictions will cut off revenue for the national carrier and the tourism sector, which rake in more than Sh270 billion combined.

The contraction is expected to filter through to other industries, risking significant job losses in the economy that was already weak.

“Obviously, this is devastating not just for Kenya but the global tourism industry,” a chief executive of one of the leading hotel chains told the Business Daily.

“There were cancellations before and now there are no new bookings,” he said in reference to the new travel restrictions.

His firm is holding meetings to decide what actions to take, including reducing staff count, he said.

This signals closure of hotels in a sector that is one of Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners and supports, among others, handicraft makers, taxi drivers, fishermen and farmers.

Nine cruise ships have since cancelled plans to dock at the Port of Mombasa, with Kenya Airways also set to ground most of its planes in the coming days.

“We are currently in meetings trying to determine the effect of the new government directives and the necessary changes we need to make,” the carrier’s chief executive, Allan Kilavuka, said.

“This will become clearer in a day or two. But we will make decisions that will conserve cash and mitigate the effect of these changes on the business. We are also currently reviewing our network and will announce the changes that we will be making shortly.”

Large revenue losses

The World Bank Monday committed $60 million (Sh6.1 billion) to Kenya to help the country battle the coronavirus outbreak that has spread to at least 30 countries on the continent. The funding will improve surveillance, laboratory services, isolation units, equipment, supplies and communication to help mitigate the virus in Kenya, the World Bank said on Twitter.

Kenya Airways and the tourism sector are bracing themselves for large revenue losses as the travel restrictions come into force.

Tourism revenues rose 3.9 percent last year to Sh163 billion as the number of visitors increased one percent to two million. The sector employs some 80,000 people directly, accounting for four percent of total formal jobs in the private sector.

The travel ban is set to worsen the country’s bed-night occupancy rate that has hovered around 32 percent in the past five years.

Entry of new players in the hospitality industry and expansion by existing firms have increased the bed-night capacity to more than 27,000.

Virtually all the major tourist source markets have been hit by the coronavirus, including Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. For KQ, as the national carrier is known by its international code, the travel restrictions will worsen its already precarious financial position.

The National Securities Exchange-listed firm made a net loss of Sh8.5 billion in the half year ended June, more than double the net loss of Sh4 billion the year before, as costs rose faster than revenue.

The loss saw the company’s negative equity widen to Sh16.1 billion from Sh2.4 billion, underlining the airline’s capital crisis.

Turnover in the review period rose to Sh58.5 billion from Sh52.1 billion, representing a 12.2 percent increase.

The government last month provided a Sh5 billion loan to the company to sustain operations.

It is expected to provide more funds if the airline is to meet its short-term obligations to employees and lessors of aircraft.

The fresh challenges facing the tourism sector are set to further weaken its contribution to the economy. The industry is estimated to account for just 0.7 percent of economic output.

Kenya is among the countries that have taken increasingly stricter measures in a bid to combat the respiratory illness.

The disease is paralysing social and economic activities in countries where it has spread to.

The scare is disrupting travel, supply chains and weakening demand for goods and services worldwide, raising the spectre of a substantial reduction in global economic growth.

How fast the disease spreads and whether a vaccine can be developed fast enough are among the uncertainties rattling the public, investors and governments alike.

First published at Business Daily Africa here: