Category: Latest Travel News

Bangkok (Thailand) – April 1, 2020 /Travelindex/ Newly opened Villa de Pranakorn, the only luxury boutique hotel in Bangkok’s historic Sam Yot district, has just become a member of Relais & Châteaux, the leading global hotel and restaurant association. Villa de Pranakorn is the first hotel to join their collection in the country’s capital.

Known for its exclusivity, Relais & Châteaux is often compared to the hotel industry’s Michelin rating. Established in 1954, the brand has since aspired to offer the finest in local offerings from independently run properties and restaurants across the world. Relais & Châteaux members have a driving desire to protect and promote the richness and diversity of the world’s cuisine and traditions of hospitality. They are committed to preserving local heritage and the environment, as encompassed in the Charter presented to UNESCO in November 2014.

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“We are committed to continually offer luxury hospitality and local anchorage in unique places and as such are extremely excited for this partnership with Villa de Pranakorn. This first hotel in Bangkok in our collection, perfectly located in the historic district of the city, definitely offers a delicious Thai immersion for our guests. In a few words, history, food and culture come together elegantly at Villa de Pranakorn,” said Philippe Gombert, President of Relais & Châteaux.

Having officially opened its doors to guests in February, this intimate 47-key hotel provides the perfect base to escape the hustle and bustle of this 21st Century metropolis. Nestled in the Thai capital’s captivating old quarter, Villa de Pranakorn blends a refined urban style and luxury amenities with Thailand’s rich heritage, culture and cuisine. Set around an open-air courtyard pool, the hotel features an urban, chic, minimalist design inspired by the area’s Sino-Portuguese architecture.

“It gives us great pleasure to join the Relais & Châteaux portfolio of worldwide properties known for their unique local offerings. A few weeks after our opening, this new milestone acknowledges the charm of our architecture, our marvellous location and the talents of our staff and of our chef in particular. From Sam Yot historic district, Villa de Pranakorn is the ideal luxury accommodation to soak up all the excitement of the Thai capital and to rest in style,” said Erik Lannge, the hotel’s General Manager.

Villa de Pranakorn features a choice of accommodation for every occasion, from solo-friendly Superior Rooms to couple-focused Premium and Grand Deluxe Rooms, all the way up to the luxurious Mahachai and Pranakorn Suites. Every room is equipped with contemporary amenities and adorned with a modern yet understated design and images of old Bangkok. Comfortable beds, rain showers and complimentary Wi-Fi ensure that guests can stay well rested, refreshed and fully connected throughout their stay, and some rooms even offer standalone or circular bathtubs.

Circling back to the ground floor, the Samranraj Cuisine restaurant pays homage to the owner’s ancestors who arrived from southern China in the early 20th century. Offering a journey between past and present, it combines traditional recipes with exciting culinary experimentation. The juxtaposition continues with the light wood, rattan and wicker furniture contrasted against superb black-and-white earthenware tiles, a foretaste of the elegant decor awaiting in the rooms and suites. Complimented by a discreet and attentive staff, Villa de Pranakorn offers the perfect balance to the city’s boundless energy. Other facilities include a lobby and pool bar, courtyard pool, treatment room, gym and most notably, an Ancestral Hall unique to the space.

Villa de Pranakorn is committed to a plastic-free future. Working with local eco-friendly company, Panpuri, in-room guest amenities are made from bamboo or packed in stone paper. The hotel also works with Nordaq, a water filtration company, to produce its own still drinking water onsite. This enables every guest to refill their own glass water bottle free-of-charge during their stay, rather than using harmful plastic versions. Every room will be equipped with two complimentary water bottles – one still and one sparkling.

Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels at Top25Hotels.com

About Villa de Pranakorn
Villa de Pranakorn is an elegant new boutique hotel in old Bangkok’s Sam Yot district, close to the newly opened MRT subway station. Opening mid-February 2020, this stylish property features 47 rooms and suites and exceptional amenities for discerning guests, including a swimming pool. The hotel is nestled in one of the Thai capital’s most enchanting areas, surrounded by historic attractions such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Operated by Unicorn Hospitality, the forward-thinking Thai hotel management company, Villa de Pranakorn introduces a new era of upscale comfort to the heritage heart of Bangkok.

About Relais & Châteaux
Established in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an association of more than 550 landmark hotels and restaurants operated by independent innkeepers, chefs, and owners who share a passion for their businesses and a desire for authenticity in their relationships with their clientele.

Relais & Châteaux is established around the globe, from the Napa Valley vineyards and French Provence to the beaches of the Indian Ocean. It offers an introduction to a lifestyle inspired by local culture and a unique dip into human history. Relais & Châteaux members have a driving desire to protect and promote the richness and diversity of the world’s cuisine and traditions of hospitality. They are committed to preserving local heritage and the environment, as encompassed in the Charter presented to UNESCO in November 2014.

Luang Prabang (Laos PDR) – March 31, 2020 /travelindex.com/ The eco-friendly five-star resort in northern Laos offers tips and techniques on how to stay fit at home, and creates a special Wellness Retreat for when life returns to normal. During the unprecedented times in which we currently live, it is more important than ever that we take care of ourselves, and each other. All around the world, people are being responsible and self-isolating. At Pullman Luang Prabang, we urge everyone to #StayHome.

But staying at home does not mean you need to stop living! There are many ways to stay fit and healthy without going out. Taking inspiration from our natural surroundings and most popular pastimes, Pullman Luang Prabang has created a series of tips and techniques for guests who want to keep their bodies and minds active.

Surrounded by jungle-clad hills, northern Laos is the ideal destination for people to come together, reunite and revive their bodies and minds. Until this can happen however, try taking part in our daily activities from the comfort of your home. And when life returns to normal, all guests are invited to take a rewarding Wellness Retreat at Pullman Luang Prabang.

Enjoy a Morning Yoga Class: One of the most popular guest activities at Pullman Luang Prabang is an invigorating morning yoga session on the resort’s rooftop, overlooking the lush landscaped gardens. If you’re confined to your home, try learning some simple yoga poses and stretching techniques in your garden, balcony or terrace – you are sure to feel more relaxed.

Create Your Own Organic Garden: Many guests like to take a stroll through Pullman Luang Prabang’s working farmstead, where local farmers use water buffalo to tend rice paddies and where Lao herbs, vegetables and tropical fruit are all grown onsite. You may not have 16 hectares of gardens, but you can still be organic – try planting your own seeds and watching them grow.

Learn the Art of Lao Cuisine: The resort’s expert chefs use our organically-grown produce and other sustainable ingredients to create delicious Lao cuisine. Why not go online and learn how to make a simple Lao dish, such as laab salad? Then, when you arrive at our resort, you can hone your skills with a cooking class and savour authentic dishes at L’Atelier, our lakeside restaurant.

Unwind with a Massage: The Pullman Spa is the perfect place to be pampered, with a wide range of soothing body treatments. We understand that not everyone is a trained massage therapist, but you could try giving your partner a simple foot massage. This is a wonderful way of connecting with your loved one while also helping you both to remain calm and relaxed.

Be Community Spirited: Most important of all in these uncertain times, we need to look out for each other. Pullman Luang Prabang supports a wide range of valuable CSR initiatives that transform the lives of local people, but even the smallest gestures can make a big difference. Just pick up the telephone and let someone know they’re not alone.

“At Pullman Luang Prabang, we understand this is a difficult time for everyone. It is vital that we all follow official advice and #StayHome. But life does not have to stop completely; this is a great opportunity to learn new skills, reconnect with loved ones and show support for your community. We will get through this situation together, and perhaps become a closer and kinder society afterwards. When live gets back to normal, Pullman Luang Prabang will be here to give guests a well-deserved vacation in the fresh, mountainous air northern Laos,” said Denis Dupart, the resort’s general manager.

Pullman Luang Prabang has created a sublime Wellness Retreat Package for when guests are ready to travel again. Starting from US$160 net per person or US$200 net per couple per night, for a minimum two-night stay, this soothing promotion includes Deluxe Room accommodation, a wellness consultation, roundtrip airport transfers, two yoga sessions, a daily 30-minute fitness session and meditation class, a 60-minute spa treatment, a wellness turndown with gluten-free sugar free cookies and herbal teas, a bathing ritual, in-room fitness equipment such as a yoga mat, skipping rope and dumbbells, a healthy three-course dinner, a “wellness minibar”, evening mocktails and more.

Madrid (Spain) – March 31, 2020 /travelindex.com/ Supporting jobs and the economy through tourism: set of recommendations on measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and accelerate recovery to be approved and announced soon.

A new meeting of the Global Tourism Crisis Committee, chaired by UWTO Secretary General Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, took place on Thursday, 26 March 2020.

The meeting, hosted in Madrid and conducted virtually for obvious reasons of public health, had as objective to debate and defines a set of recommendations on measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and accelerate recovery.

The debate carried out, with the participation of UN Agencies, Governments and private sector, allow to carry out a consistent exchange evaluations and proposals to serve as basis for the set of recommendations under elaboration.

The participants agreed on the diagnostic that tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the COVID 19 crisis, underlying at the same time that past crises showed us that tourism has the capacity to bounce back strongly and quickly after external shocks.

Therefore, the recommendations aim to support governments, the private sector and the international community in navigating the unparalleled social and economic emergency of COVID 19.

UNWTO will distribute within the coming days the set of measures and recommendations defined within this coordination mechanism – the Global Tourism Crisis Committee. We are pleased to inform that the foreseen measures will refer mainly to (a) managing the crisis and mitigating the impact, (b) providing stimulus & accelerating recovery and (c) preparing the sector for the future.

Some main pillars of the set of coming recommendations:

– Right now! Support companies’ liquidity through the creation a Tourism Emergency Fund to support most affected companies ensuring they can keep away from bankruptcy and restart operations after the emergency thus ensuring supply back in the market.

– Right now! Make sure tourism is part of the global emergency packages -Ensure national tourism administrations are included in the programmes stemming from international and regional organizations such as the World Bank, Regional Banks and the European Commission to support SMEs, infrastructure and other horizontal areas that impact on tourism.

– Right now! Review taxes and regulations and facilitate travel – facilitating new temporary exemptions or reductions of corporate taxes, air transport taxes (landing and parking fees, fuel charges), VAT on accommodation and restaurants, tourism taxes and other.

– Next steps! Place tourism firmly in the national agenda- ensure the inclusion of tourism in national priorities for its capacity to create jobs, promote economic growth and inclusion.

– Next steps! Promote new jobs and skills development -ensure measures are equally accessible to women and other groups, notably youth, people with disabilities, rural and indigenous communities, promoting a more inclusive and diversified local supply chain.

– Next steps! Domestic tourists are expected to be among the first to travel again and reinitiate demand- create plans for marketing activities and incentives that will facilitate domestic travel and encourage increased length of stay through competitive prices, special promotions or travel checks by employers especially to destinations heavily relied on tourism.

UNWTO will keep you informed and permanently updated on this important topic and will make available for you the approved content of the document soon.

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

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 31, 2020 /travelindex.com/ Anantara celebrates every day with an invitation to discover a new passion, whether it’s indigenous Spice Spoons cooking classes, Anantara Spa rituals that channel local wellness traditions, or unique travel experiences that are true memory makers. With the current situation worldwide, Anantara understands that it is a difficult time for most people to travel and so our global network of Anantara Experts will be bringing our signature indigenous experiences to you at home.

The philosophy of Anantara Hotels Resorts and Spas, the luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, is ‘Life Is a Journey.’ Until the time comes to start our travel journeys safely once again, the Anantara Nomads Blog will be continually connecting everyone with a steady stream of personable and authentic content and stories designed to inspire and provide a positive form of travel escapism during this period of global social distancing.

Using the hashtag, #AnantaraEscapism, our properties from all corners of the world will be sharing bitesize video content and healthy living tips to inspire and stimulate guests from our homes to theirs across our social media channels below. Whether it’s nourishing and immunity boosting recipes from our culinary chefs from the Maldives to Oman, wellness boosting home spa remedies, or home workouts and fitness tips from our exceptional team members, such as martial arts lessons from Vietnam’s Anantara Quy Nhon’s resident Việt Võ Đạo martial arts master, Mr Phuc. The Nomad’s blog will be regularly refreshed with fun and nourishing recipes, experiences and bucket-list ideas for future travels.

Now more than ever it’s time to look after ourselves and the world we live in and sustainable tourism has long been a key pillar of the Anantara ethos. The month of April will be devoted to Earth Month, with a series of nature stories highlighting some of the projects and the incredible team members and Anantara Experts that protect and support the communities which our properties are thankful to call home. Anantara guests play an integral role in supporting these, whether it’s planting rescued coral with the Holistic Approach to Reef Protection at Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort or helping to clean beaches and release baby turtles with the Mai Khao Turtle Foundation at Anantara Layan Resort and Anantara Mai Khao Resort in Phuket, Thailand. For the next few weeks we will be sharing our stunning nature inspired experiences digitally.

To further calm nerves and put smiles on the faces of everyone at home, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort will be sharing twice daily live streams from the rescued elephants that reside in the onsite elephant camp supported by Anantara’s charitable non-profit organisation, The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF). Guests will be able to virtually frolic in the Ruak River as the elephants go about their daily bathing and walk alongside the team of veterinarians fielding questions via Instagram and Facebook.

At Anantara we pride ourselves in bringing story collecting travellers closer to the colourful local traditions, intriguing heritage and breathtaking topography of some of the world’s most exotic destinations and while we are waiting patiently to welcome you back to our hotels very soon we’ll be taking mobile technology to the next level delivering consistent experiences across all devices and enabling potential customers to enjoy a streamlined browsing experience across multiple languages on any screen size using responsive technology.

About Anantara Hotels and Resorts
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 35 stunning properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, Portugal and Spain, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Africa.

Geneva (Switzerland) – March 30, 2020 /travelindex.com/ by Bernard Metzger, Founder, Travelindex – Aggressive containment measures by governments around the world had an immediate severe economic impact but are helping to contain the virus spread, leading to lesser long-term negative economic implications. Previous disease outbreaks recovered to pre-outbreak levels in six to ten months after the peak of the outbreak but for some destinations the visitor numbers recovered only after 19 months.

For tourism to bounce back, we need to see a normalization and all restrictions to be lifted as well as a rebound in consumer confidence.

Gradual recovery – How fast?

Is the covid-19 going to disappear completely in the near future or are we going to get into a period of cyclical virus-waves? Or are we going to end up with low-level endemic disease that we have to deal with in the long term?

The answers to these questions will also determine how governments will modify the current travel limitations or uplift restrictions therefore how tourism will recover.

In an ideal scenario, on September 1st, 2020 (hypothetically) the world will be declared corona virus free and all travel restrictions will be lifted, people start traveling again, airlines resume all their routes and hotel are re-opening.

The World Economic Forum forecasts that once the outbreak is over, it could take up to 10 months for the industry to recover. Tourism Economics expect a full recovery by 2023, based on how the travel industry recuperated from past slumps, once the situation has stabilized.

Several factors will have a direct impact on the speed of recovery (a) official travel restrictions, (b) events reinstatement, (c) travelers risk aversion or fear factor, (d) consumers disposable personal income.

People travel for distinct reasons: business and work, leisure and holidays, events and MICE, family and friends visits but most people don’t have to travel, they choose to. Each category will recover at a different pace, in line with national and international travel restrictions and on their free own choice.

States will modulate their restrictions according to the travel intend of each individual travelers. For economic reasons the “business traveler”, defined as a person contributing essential services to the community or to an enterprise, will be granted “travel privileges” before the leisure traveler. Initially, governments will weight benefits of lifting travel restrictions against traveler’s contribution to the national economy and well-being of its people.

Governments from around the world have to recognize the key role tourism can play in response and recovery of the covid-19 crisis.

Many countries have already enacted multi-billion-dollar fiscal stimulus measures to offset the massive, coronavirus-induced hits to their respective economies, including the tourism sector. In a number of countries, the state will control tourism assets (airlines) which will have a direct bearing on their decisions on travel restrictions and on the reopening of routes, which ones and how soon.

Destination marketing organizations are facing difficult times and 80 percent of destination organizations surveyed in North America have reduced or postponed sales and marketing spending. However, destinations have every reason to launch inventive and genuinely uplifting campaigns, now. Estonia launched a campaign “visit estonia…later…stayhome” in line with the hashtag #TravelTomorrow launched by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), trending on Twitter and emphasizing that we will travel tomorrow for the right reasons, creating opportunities for all, making positive change and building a better future for people and planet.

The tourism sector is resilient but economic, financial, psychological and even privacy concerns will make travel decision more difficult. The future of global tourism will be determined by us and our behavior, our governments as much as the virus.

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) – March 30, 2020 /travelindex.com/ UAE-headquartered hospitality company, Time Hotels, has implemented a number of new initiatives to boost morale and promote positive wellbeing among all of its staff members, as well as improving guest experience across its portfolio of properties. UAE-headquartered hospitality company to introduce new initiatives to promote positive wellbeing among all employees and improve overall guest service.

The personal development of all team members will also be a key focus, with TIME Hotels dedicating a set amount of working hours to allow employees to catch up on e-learning modules and develop their existing skill sets with the implementation of personal training and development plans as well as performance plans, on-the-job and a range of employee engagement activities.

Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said: “Boosting staff morale is essential during these challenging times and as a result we’re working to ensure we go that extra mile to create a warm and positive working environment, while looking at how we can best utilise each individual team member’s time and improve guest service and our overall offering.”

From the beginning of April, employees will also be invited to participate in a weekly initiative called ‘Wear your Happiness’, part of the ‘I’M happy’ campaign, which involves wearing an accessory or item of clothing or dressing in a way which makes them feel happy, while still being in line with personal hygiene protocol and following the grooming standards of the hotel, in addition to a range of precautionary measures that have been implemented throughout TIME Hotels properties to ensure the safety and wellbeing of guests and employees.

“At the very core of our success is our incredible team. Their commitment, energy and drive are paramount to our success as a business, and we want to take this opportunity to promote positive wellbeing by boosting morale and giving something back. The current crisis will pass, and I want our staff to be fully motivated when the travel and social restrictions are lifted,” Awadalla added.

TIME Hotels has always advocated a more flexible and personable approach to guest service, and over the coming weeks and months, management teams and staff will also review past customer feedback which could have been overlooked due to the busy period and look at ways to improve their overall guest offering.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, TIME Hotels has implemented all of the recommended measures to reinforce the practice of good sound hygiene by increasing its level of sanitation and intensifying cleaning procedures across all of its properties.

“These new standards are now being embedded into our daily operations making it standard practice rather than just a precautionary measure,” added Awadalla.

TIME Hotels will also focus on overall maintenance and back of house deep cleaning over the coming weeks as well as re-arranging storage units, stairwells, pantries and kitchens.

“In addition to this, we will be reviewing and redesigning our Standards of Performance (SOPs) to ensure we are in a strong position to drive our business forward, as soon as we reach the recovery phase of the crisis,” Awadalla said.

Madrid (Spain) – March 27, 2020 /travelindex.com/ – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released its updated assessment of the likely impact of the COVID-19 on international tourism. Taking into account the unparalleled introduction of travel restrictions across the world, the United Nations specialized agency for tourism expects that international tourist arrivals will be down by 20% to 30% in 2020 when compared with 2019 figures. However, UNWTO stresses that these numbers are based on the latest developments as the global community faces up to an unprecedented social and economic challenge and should be interpreted with caution in view of the extreme uncertain nature of the current crisis.

An expected fall of between 20-30% could translate into a decline in international tourism receipts (exports) of between US$300-450 billion, almost one third of the US$ 1.5 trillion generated in 2019. Taking into account past market trends, this would mean that between five and seven years’ worth of growth will be lost to COVID-19. Putting this into context, UNWTO notes that in 2009, on the back of the global economic crisis, international tourist arrivals declined by 4%, while the SARS outbreak led to a decline of just 0.4% in 2003.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism is among the hardest hit of all economic sectors. However, tourism is also united in helping to address this immense health emergency – our first and utmost priority – while working together to mitigate the impact of the crisis, particularly on employment, and to support the wider recovery efforts through providing jobs and driving economic welfare worldwide.”

Mitigating damage and planning for recovery

Tourism is among the hardest hit of all economic sectors. However, tourism is also united in helping to address this immense health emergency

Mr. Pololikashvili added that, while it is too early to make a full assessment of the likely impact of COVID-19 on tourism, it is clear that millions of jobs within the sector are at risk of being lost. Around 80% of all tourism businesses are small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the sector has been leading the way in providing employment and other opportunities for women, youth and rural communities.

Alongside this new assessment, UNWTO underlines tourism’s historic resilience and capacity to create jobs after crisis situations, while also emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and of ensuring the sector is made a central part of recovery efforts.

Since the start of the current crisis, UNWTO has been working closely with the wider United Nations system, including directly alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) to guide the sector, issuing key recommendations for both high-level leaders and individual tourists. To better consolidate and strengthen the response, the Organization has established the Global Tourism Crisis Committee.

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

Doha (Qatar) – March 26, 2020 /travelindex.com/ Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attended the official opening of the Education City Golf Club as it hosted its first international tournament, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2020 on the European Tour.

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, also attended the opening ceremony, as golf stars from around the world played their opening rounds in the latest edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which has moved from its previous home at Doha Golf Club for the first time in its 23-year history.

“We look forward to welcoming people from across Qatar and beyond to experience the Education City Golf Club, which adds to the array of publicly-available, community-focused facilities at Qatar Foundation while also supporting Qatar’s national tourism goals and enhancing the nation’s global profile as a sporting destination,” said Machaille Hassan Al-Naimi, President of Community Development, Qatar Foundation.

Also participating in the tour at the official opening of the Education City Golf Club were Hassan Al Naimi, President of Qatar Golf Association; Joseph Abraham, Group CEO of Commercial Bank of Qatar; Omar Hussain Alfardan, Managing Director, Commercial Bank of Qatar; Keith Pelley, CEO of the PGA European Tour; and leading professional golfer and Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew.

“The Education City Golf Club is an inclusive facility on many levels, especially the academic level, as it offers many opportunities for those aspiring to practice golf, whether they are beginners, advanced, or professional players,” said Mr. Al Naimi.

“We decided to move the 23rd edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters tournament to the Education City Golf Club for the first time to enhance community involvement, and to further highlight how Qatar is a global destination for golf lovers.”

Speaking at the official opening, Keith Pelley European Tour CEO said: “It is my first time in Qatar, and my first opportunity to visit the Education City Golf Club. The course is excellent, the facilities are brilliant, and the immediate reaction from the players has been incredibly positive.

“This is a big step in the right direction for the game in Qatar. Golf is the most inclusive sport in the world, as you can play with anybody of any age, ability, and gender. Golf is very healthy and can teach you life skills. We think it is the best-kept secret here in Qatar and hopefully, it will grow over the coming years.”

Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthews also visited for the opening state “This is my first time here at this amazing golf course at Education City. It has all the high-tech equipment necessary to play golf, and it is great to see young girls and boys practicing the game here. It is also great to have this facility next to universities, schools, and research centers.”

Montreal (Canada) – March 26, 2020 /travelindex.com/ Traveling by plane doesn’t necessarily increase the risk of contracting a communicable disease more than another kind of mass transit, according to the World Health Organization, as ventilation systems on aircraft use filters to trap bacteria and viruses before air is recirculated.

“Ventilation rates provide a total change of air 20 to 30 times per hour. Most modern aircraft have re-circulation systems, which recycle up to 50% of cabin air. The recirculated air is usually passed through HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters, of the type used in hospital operating theatres and intensive care units, which trap dust particles, bacteria, fungi and viruses.”

Airplane air is usually recirculated through the kind of filters used in ICUs.

“Transmission of infection may occur between passengers who are seated in the same area of an aircraft, usually as a result of the infected individual coughing or sneezing or by touch,” WHO noted on its website. “This is no different from any other situation in which people are close to each other, such as on a train or bus or in a theater.”

Others say such filters are imperfect. “HEPA filters are commonly thought to be impenetrable, but in fact they are only 99.97% efficient at collecting the most-penetrating particle,” one 2009 study concluded. “While this is an impressive collection efficiency, HEPA filters may not provide adequate protection for all threats: viruses are sub-micron in size and have small minimum infections doses.”

Travelers should still disinfect where they are seated, wash their hands often, avoid touching their face and try to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing, regardless of where or how they travel. Travel company AAA also recommends that people traveling abroad bring all necessary documentation including health-insurance cards, hand sanitizer and additional doses of medication.

First published at www.traveltourism.news

Madrid (Spain) – March 26, 2020 (travelindex.com) – In the face of an unprecedented challenge, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), calls on innovators and entrepreneurs to put forward new solutions to help the tourism sector recover from COVID-19.

With millions of jobs at risk as the pandemic hits tourism harder than any other sector, the United Nations specialized tourism agency has included innovation in its wider response to the pandemic. That response has seen UNWTO work closely alongside WHO to mitigate the impact and place tourism at the centre of future recovery efforts and liaise closely with governments and the private sector to boost collaboration and international solidarity.

Tourism is the sector that has been hit the hardest by COVID-19. Our response needs to be strong and united.

The “Healing Solutions” challenge is launched in collaboration with WHO, further advancing the united response of the wider United Nations system to COVID-19. This global call for entrepreneurs and innovators asks them to submit ideas that can help the tourism sector mitigate the impact of the pandemic and kickstart recovery efforts. In particular, the challenge is aimed at finding ideas that can make a difference right away: for destinations, for businesses and for public health efforts.

Ideas that are ready to implement

Participants should be able to demonstrate how their ideas can help tourism in its response to COVID-19. Ideas must also have been piloted and be ready to scale-up, with a business plan in place and the potential to be implemented in several countries.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili explains: “Tourism is the sector that has been hit the hardest by COVID-19. Our response needs to be strong and united. We also need to embrace innovation. I call on all entrepreneurs and innovators with ideas that are developed and ready to be put into action to share them with us. In particular, we want to hear ideas that will help communities recover from this crisis, economically and socially, as well as ideas that can contribute to the public health response.”

The competition is now live and applications close on 10 April 2020. The winners of the Healing Solutions for Tourism Challenge will be invited to pitch their ideas to representatives of more than 150 governments They will also enjoy access to the UNWTO Innovation Network, which includes hundreds of start-ups and leading businesses from across the tourism sector.

More information on the competition and on how to apply can be found at the
Healing Solutions for Tourism Challenge webpage…

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