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Tourism revenue will rebound in 2022

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TTR WEEKLY
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LONDON, 4 February 2022: Major new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) indicates that as the global travel & tourism sector begins to recover, its contribution to the global economy could reach USD8.6 trillion this year.

In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the travel & tourism sector generated nearly USD9.2 trillion to the global economy.

However, in 2020, the pandemic brought the sector to an almost complete halt, causing a massive 49.1% drop, representing a severe loss of nearly USD4.5 trillion.

The latest research from WTTC shows that as the world finally begins to recover from the pandemic, the sector’s contribution to the global economy and jobs could reach almost pre-pandemic levels this year if the recovery of the sector continues to pick up the pace.

Research by the global tourism body shows that if the vaccine and booster rollout continue at pace this year, and restrictions to international travel are eased around the world throughout the year – increasing the number of people who can travel ‘quarantine free’, the sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach USD8.6 trillion, just 6.4% down on pre-pandemic levels.

WTTC’s research also shows that the sector’s contribution to global employment could reach more than 330 million, just 1% below pre-pandemic levels and up 21.5% up on 2020, representing a massive 58 million more jobs.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “Over the past two years, due to severe travel restrictions around the world, the global travel & tourism sector has suffered tremendous losses.

“Our latest research clearly shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and 2022 is certainly looking more positive in terms of both jobs and the economy. However, there is much more work to be done if we are to bring back all the jobs lost and achieve a full economic recovery. With so much is at stake, it’s vital we continue driving the recovery of our sector.

“Governments must shift their risk assessment from entire countries to the individual traveller and allow the fully vaccinated to travel freely.”

To reach close to pre-pandemic GDP and employment levels this year, WTTC says governments worldwide must continue focussing on the vaccine and booster rollout, allowing fully vaccinated travellers to move freely without the need for additional testing.

Digital solutions that enable travellers to easily prove their status in a simplified and secure way are a priority.

(Source: WTTC)

Vietnam speeds up reopening phase

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TTR WEEKLY
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HANOI, 4 February 2022: Vietnam is preparing for a broader reopening of its borders and will reinstate more international commercial flights once the Lunar New Year Tet celebrations are over, the Vietnam Government Portal news channel reports.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, some international flights resumed at the end of January, and the government confirmed that 14 of 63 cities and provinces allowed students to return to school starting 28 January. The total number of students back to schools reached nearly 15.7 million, accounting for 69%, the ministry added.

It is expected that 75.71% of students nationwide will return to schools after the Lunar New Year. Around 91% of higher education at universities and colleges will resume after the week-long holiday.

Since early January, the government allowed the partial resumption of international commercial flights to nine countries after a close to two-year hiatus.

International flights were authorised to Beijing/Guangxi (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Taiwan, Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and San Francisco/Los Angeles (the US). Only flights to China remain pending.

At the end of January, airlines gained the green light to fly to Europe and Australia. They started just before the Tet holiday commenced.

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines launched scheduled services to Australia, the UK, France, and Germany. Once the  Tet holiday is over, Bamboo Airways will operate flights to Germany, the UK, and Australia.

Under the current protocols, international passengers entering Vietnam must present a negative PCR test certificate. Travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered from the virus are allowed to enter, but they must self-isolate for three days at places of residence. Those who have not been vaccinated or partially vaccinated shall be required to self-isolate for seven days.

The government has abolished the rapid Covid-19 test requirement for international airline passengers before boarding and after landing in Vietnam.

To date, Vietnam has temporarily recognised Covid-19 vaccination certificates and passports issued by 79 countries and territories.

Negotiations are now underway to accept other vaccine passports, especially those in a digital format.

Meanwhile, 10 countries have endorsed Vietnam’s vaccine passport to facilitate travel between their countries and Vietnam.

On 29 January, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to work with the Ministry of Health to devise a phased plan to complete the tourism reopening no later than 30 April.

A pilot scheme that allows international tourists to travel to Phu Quoc Island, Quang Nam, Danang, and Khanh Hoa in the central region, and Quang Ninh in the northern region extends to include Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh.

Incoming tourists are required to present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate issued at least 14 days before entry or have proof of recovery from Covid-19 within six months before entering the country.

They must also show a negative PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours before entry and purchase health insurance with Covid-19 treatment cover with a minimum value of USD50,000.

Since last November, Vietnam has welcomed about 8,500 international tourists from Russia, South Korea, Singapore, the UK, and the US under the scheme.

According to data provided by the country’s General Statistics Office, the country recorded 111,057 international visitor arrivals by air in 2021, down 96.4%. Arrivals by land declined 92.5% to 45,598, and just 614 visitors by sea down 99.6%. In 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic, the country welcomed 18 million international visitor arrivals.

(Source: VGP)

IATA backs Health Master List

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TTR WEEKLY
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GENEVA, 4 February 2022: The International Air Transport Association welcomes the creation by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of a global directory of public keys required to authentic health credentials.

The directory – called the Health Master List (HML) – will significantly contribute to the global recognition and verification (interoperability) of government-issued health credentials.

Benoit Poletti, Chief Executive Officer, INCERT Public Agency, of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (left), and ICAO Deputy Director of Aviation Security and Facilitation, Sylvain Lefoyer, on the occasion of the signing of the INCERT-ICAO Health Master List agreement.

A public key enables third parties to verify that a QR code displayed on a health credential is authentic and valid. The HLM is a compilation of public-key certificates signed by ICAO and regularly updated as more health proofs are issued, and new public keys are required. Its implementation will ease the global recognition of health credentials outside of the jurisdiction in which they were issued.

“For international travel today, it is critical that COVID-19 health passes can be efficiently verified outside of their country of issuance. While the keys for verification are available individually, the creation of a directory will significantly cut complexity, simplify operations and improve trust in the verification process. We encourage all states to submit their public health keys to the HLM,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh.

The sharing of public keys used to perform this verification does not involve any exchange of or access to personal information.

The HML is available on the ICAO website. All states can upload their public keys and download those of other governments.

Through a pilot project associated with the HML, private sector providers of solutions for governments to verify health credentials will also be able to access these keys. It will help facilitate the broadest coverage of health certificates in their offerings as international travel continues to ramp up. IATA will participate in this pilot program to support the deployment of the IATA Travel Pass.

A Step Forward for One ID

The air transport industry’s interest in this type of directory goes beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

“COVID-19 Health Certificates must be removed as we progress towards overall travel normalization and industry recovery. But we must retain and build on the operational experience of verifying certificates globally. That includes securely sharing access to public keys with private sector solution providers. This will help to drive progress for contactless verification of traveller identities for which similar keys are needed. We cannot underestimate how important this will be for the implementation of One ID, which has the potential to simplify travel dramatically,” said Walsh.

One ID uses digital identity management and biometric technologies to streamline travel by eliminating repetitive checks of paper documents. The contactless checking of travel health credentials is advancing the experience needed to operationalize One ID. The challenge is the same: universal recognition of verified digital credentials irrespective of the jurisdiction in which they were issued or the standard used. The successful sharing of public keys to verify Covid-19 health certificates will demonstrate that similar keys for digital identity documents can also be securely and efficiently be collected and shared, including with private sector solution providers.

(Source: IATA)

BW introduces Test & Go packages

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 February 2022: Best Western Hotels & Resorts welcomes international travellers back to Thailand with a special package to support Thailand’s “Test & Go” programme that opened for bookings through the Thailand Pass app earlier this week.

Under the rebooted programme, fully vaccinated visitors from any country or territory worldwide can apply for a “Thailand Pass”. They will need to book a night’s stay at a certified hotel on day one and again on day five to undergo two PCR tests. The mandatory hotel stays for testing can be in different destinations.

To celebrate this milestone, Best Western is offering packages starting from only THB4,480 per person per night at hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya or Phuket. The deal includes transfer from the airport to the hotel and RT-PCR tests provided by a hospital.

Ethiopian’s 737 MAX resumes flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 February 2022: Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX returned to the skies earlier this week after being grounded for almost three years

In March 2019, an Ethiopian Boeing 737 MAX (Flight 302) crashed just six minutes after it took off from Addis Ababa, killing 149 passengers and eight crew. It was the second deadly crash for the brand new plane model in just six months after a Lion Air B737 MAX crashed shortly after taking off from Jakarta, Indonesia in October 2018 killing 189 passengers and crew.

Commenting on the return of the B737 MAX, Ethiopian Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said: “Safety is the topmost priority and it is in line with that guiding principle we are now returning the B737 MAX to service not only after the recertification by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), EASA of Europe, Transport Canada, CAAC, ECAA and other regulatory bodies but also after the fleet type’s return to service by 36 airlines around the world.

The airline’s board members, management executives, Boeing representatives joined the first flight from Addis Ababa on 1 February.

The airlines’ B737 MAX has undergone more than 20 months of rigorous recertification process that extended to pilots, engineers, aircraft technicians and cabin crew.

Ethiopian Airlines has four B737 MAX in its fleet and 25 on order, some of which it will take delivery of in 2022.

Centara lines up Test & Go bargains

By
TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 February 2022: Test & Go, Thailand’s reopening programme for quarantine-free international arrivals, is back, with Centara going the extra mile to deliver holiday bargains at 27 properties.

Fully vaccinated visitors from any country or territory worldwide can now apply for a “Thailand Pass”. Having arrived, stayed for one night in an SHA Plus-certified hotel and recorded a negative RT-PCR test, guests are free to travel anywhere in the country. A second night’s stay in an SHA Plus hotel and a PCR test is required on day five. (For full information about Test & Go, please click here)

Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, Thailand – is a sacred temple and it’s a part of the Thai grand palace, the Temple houses an ancient Emerald Buddha.

This is great news for everyone who has been longing to return to Thailand and experience its warm, gracious hospitality.

Centara s inviting its international clientele to enjoy safe and stress-free stays at a choice of 27 outstanding hotels and resorts in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai. So, whether you’re seeking a blissful beachfront break, an idyllic island escape, a shopping sojourn in the city or an upcountry cultural retreat, every guest can find their ultimate Thai vacation with Centara. For more details and bookings, visit Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Under the “Centara Test & Go” package, fully vaccinated travellers can enjoy up to 25% off the hotel’s best available rate*, plus one RT-PCT test upon arrival¹, a private transfer from the airport to the hotel for up to three people, and daily breakfast². This attractive offer3 is valid for bookings made between now and 31 March 2021, for stays taken up to 30 June 2022.

In Bangkok, Centara Grand at CentralWorld is an iconic landmark in the heart of this captivating capital city. Guests can stay in style, shop till they drop and soak up breath-taking 360-degree views from its rooftop restaurants and bars. Alternatively, Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya is great for fun-filled family getaways, with its world-class facilities including a spectacular Lost World-themed water park, while Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin is a charming beachfront heritage hotel that will delight all ages with its fantastic facilities, manicured gardens and enchanting colonial-style architecture.

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi is a heavenly hideaway where couples can unwind in a private tropical cove; with a sublime Spa Cenvaree, water sports centre, and a chic beach bar overlooking the Andaman Sea, Centara Villas Samui transports guests to paradise in a stunning seafront setting with spacious villas, three outdoor pools and a secluded sandy beach and Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is a stylish seafront resort featuring a water park, exhilarating activities and uninterrupted ocean views.

In Chiang Mai, Khum Phaya Resort & Spa, Centara Boutique Collection reflects the grace of the ancient Lanna Kingdom with spacious rooms and suites, a lagoon pool surrounded by trees and a soothing spa and in Thailand’s far south, Centara Hotel Hat Yai puts travellers in the heart of this vibrant gateway city.

Whichever destination they choose, every visitor will enjoy complete peace of mind with Centara, as all hotels adhere to the Centara Complete Care health and safety programme.

“We are delighted that Thailand is relaunching its Test & Go programme. Centara has a large nationwide portfolio, and we have seen strong pent-up demand for our hotels and resorts in the country from all around the world. I am confident that this reopening will mark the start of a bright new era for the Thai tourism industry in 2022 and beyond,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts deputy CEO Markland Blaiklock.

To learn more about the Test & Go packages and to return to Thailand with Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara-test-and-go.

To learn more about the Test & Go packages and to return to Thailand with Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara-test-and-go.

Notes:

* Rates differ from one property to another. CentaraThe1 members enjoy additional discounts and benefits.

¹ RT-PCT test upon arrival does not apply to guests staying in Phuket. Guests travelling to Phuket must book an RT-PCR test directly via www.ThailandPass.com.
² Free breakfast dependent upon the hotel and rate plan.
³ Terms and conditions apply and may vary by property.

Russia rises on Dubai’s travel chart

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 2 February 2022: Russia has grown to become the second-largest source market for Dubai’s travel and tourism sector in 2021, climbing from eighth place in last year’s rankings, according to data released before the next edition of the next edition Arabian Travel Market.

The travel trade show will be hosted in the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 9 to 12 May 2022.

Commissioned by Reed Exhibitions (RX), the organisers of ATM 2022, the Colliers report concluded that the UAE is also likely to retain its status as the preferred GCC destination for Russian visitors over the longer term, accounting for more than 90% of inbound arrivals in 2026.

In addition to the volume of inbound visitors to the UAE, the average spend of Russian travellers is expected to grow significantly between 2021 and 2026, increasing by USD85 to reach approximately USD1,280 per person during this period. Consequently, the Russian market is on course to surpass USD1 billion for the Emirates within the next four years.

Arabian Travel Market exhibition director ME Danielle Curtis said: “The latest figures from Colliers demonstrate that visitors from Russia are playing – and will continue to play – an important role for our region’s travel sector, especially when it comes to the UAE.

“The fact that Dubai was among the first destinations to open its borders to Russian travellers without the need to quarantine has no doubt been a significant factor in the sustained levels of visitation, with 296,000 inbound arrivals to the emirate in 2020.

“Encouragingly, 2021 numbers look set to surpass that figure, with Dubai having welcomed 256,000 visitors from Russia as of the third quarter of the year.”

The Russian market’s average length of stay saw a year-on-year uptick of 74.5% in Q4 2020, growing to 8.2 nights from the 4.7 nights recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year.

Colliers researchers predict that drivers such as Expo 2020 Dubai and spillover demand from FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will boost inbound from Russia by 170% in the short term. However, a gradual decline in the average length of stay is expected as new regional destinations emerge.

ATM 2022 will have a dedicated seminar on the Russian market organised by Destination of the World News, focusing on the luxury end of the market.

ATM show highlights in 2022 will include destination summits focused on the key source markets of Saudi Arabia, Russia and India.

Travel Forward, the leading global event for travel technology will shine a spotlight on next-generation innovations for tourism and hospitality. ATM buyer forums and speed networking events will take place during the four days of the show.

Bali reopens to all nationalities

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TTR WEEKLY
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BALI, 2 February 2022: Bali gets the green light to reopen its doors to all international tourists starting 4 February, according to a statement made by the country’s tourism minister, Sandiaga Uno.

He made the announcement on Monday during his virtual weekly press briefing. First reported by Bali Sun online news, the tourism minister confirmed the island would open to all international visitors starting this Friday.

Visa and health insurance requirements will be released by the opening date. Travellers will still need to comply with the current quarantine and testing rules in Bali. Vaccinated travellers need to quarantine for five to seven days.

Other requirements such as reinstating the visa-on-arrival scheme are still pending a government decision. Until the visa and health rules are clarified and a review of quarantine rules takes place, the reopening will have a slow start.

International travellers will be able to enter the island on either direct or connecting flights. Garuda Indonesia has already confirmed it will resume direct flights from Narita Tokyo, Japan to Bali, and travellers will also be able to travel to Jakarta on Garuda and then connect with flights to Bali.

Singapore Airlines says it will resume daily flights to Bali from Singapore on 16 February.

On a limited scale that was not particularly successful, Bali officially reopened to visitors from a shortlist of approved countries last October, but only on direct flights. The list included China, New Zealand, and Japan, but very few flights landed in Bali.

(Source: Bali Sun)

How to navigate Singapore’s health rules

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 2 February 2022: The Singapore Tourism Board and five tourism industry associations launched the Safe Itinerary Guide and “Experience Singapore” Compendium last week as Singapore prepares to welcome more international travellers.

The two handbooks will help the industry design and deliver innovative experiences that are in line with new traveller demands. STB partnered with the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA), Singapore Association of Conventions & Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) and Society of Tourist Guides Singapore (STGS).

The Safe Itinerary Guide provides strategies to help tourism businesses better understand their consumers so that they can personalise travel itineraries based on traveller profiles. It also outlines how businesses can design safe and engaging visitor journeys while highlighting key capabilities such as data analytics and design thinking, which are needed to respond to future challenges.

For example, tourism businesses are encouraged to explore cross-sector partnerships with healthcare providers to give travellers added assurance during their travels or gamify their offerings to keep travellers engaged.

Key information from the guide will also be shared with overseas travel businesses and partners.

Meanwhile, the “Experience Singapore” Compendium consists of tourism and lifestyle offerings for leisure and business travellers across various price points and interests. This was also developed in partnership with the five tourism associations. They engaged their members to design and curate experiences for various customer segments.

For example, visitors looking to satisfy their wanderlust can take part in an aviation experiential workshop or explore landscapes around the world with a virtual reality flight simulator. Art enthusiasts can interact with art pieces by renowned artists through augmented reality, while those seeking a more exclusive experience can take part in back-of-house tours. Some of these experiences have already been incorporated by the providers into itineraries for visitors coming to Singapore on the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs). The compendium even provides travel intermediaries with helpful information on healthcare services, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and telemedicine consultation services.

Singapore Tourism Board director, travel agents and tourist guides Kenneth Lim said: “As international tourism gradually resumes, consumers will have to navigate various health and safety requirements when planning their travels. STB has worked closely with our tourism partners to put these resources together so that they can design travel itineraries that add value and reduce friction for their customers. We hope that these resources will be useful as Singapore progressively reopens our borders.”

“Covid-19 has changed the way people live and travel, and we hope to encourage tourism businesses to develop creative and compelling offerings while providing a safe experience for visitors. We also hope the launch of the Experience Singapore Compendium will encourage and pave the way for greater collaboration across the tourism sector,” said NATAS secretary-general and chairman of the Experience Singapore! Committee Charles Tan.

The Safe Itinerary Guide and “Experience Singapore.” The Compendium can be downloaded from the Travel Related Users’ System (TRUST) website (https://trust.stb.gov.sg).

AAHK extends airport fee waivers

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TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 2 February 2022: The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has extended its relief package by two months to the end of March 2022 to continue support for airlines and airport service providers against the prolonged impact of Covid-19 on the aviation industry.

The extension up to March 2022 includes the following:
Full waiver of parking charges for idle passenger aircraft and airbridge fees;
Reduction of passenger aircraft landing charges;
Fee reduction related to ramp handling, maintenance and airside vehicles;
Rental reduction for terminal tenants covering lounges and offices; Fees wavier for terminal licensees including ancillary passenger services, commercial services counters and cross-border transport operators; Concessions on fees for aviation support services such as into-plane fuelling, aircraft maintenance and inflight catering services.

The rental relief for retail and catering tenants will also continue. Most of the shops and restaurants in the terminal have suspended business, and rentals were waived. The base rent is also waived for those that remain open to provide essential services.

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