Tales of collaboration with government agencies, travel, tourism and hospitality trade associations, organisations from other sectors and even competitors have dominated panel discussions throughout the two-day SG Tourism United Forum online event on December 8 and 9.
The event, presented by PATA Singapore Chapter with event partner, TTG Asia Media, featured top level executives representing the country’s most important trade associations in the industry: Singapore Hotel Association, National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers, Singapore Retailers Association, Restaurant Association of Singapore, Orchard Road Business Association, Association of Singapore Attractions, and Singapore River One.
They were joined by representatives of Singapore Tourism Board who detailed trade support efforts; Changi Airport Group, Singapore Airlines and Dream Cruises who presented a snapshot of how their organisations reimagined operations to remain sustainable and to continue to deliver quality customer support and experiences throughout the unusual circumstances presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tough issues facing the industry were also discussed. Panellist inputs and audience polls conducted during the discussion identified that Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lanes, while critical for travel recovery, have not resulted in equal impact for the various sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, and that sustained recovery hinges on many factors such as a coordinated reopening across Asia, certainty in governments’ border restrictions, and relaxation of social restrictions. At the same time, rising operating costs and loss of industry talents are causing concern among industry players
However, organisations such as the Singapore Hotel Association, Changi Airport Group and Singapore Airlines are seeing an improved hiring landscape in the destination, with recruitment activities intensifying over the past few months.
The recordings can be reviewed now on TTG Asia Media’s YouTube channel.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) of the United Nations has spoken out against new blanket restrictions on travel imposed by governments around the world in response to the Omicron variant.
The call echoes the concerns raised by UNWTO members during the recent 24th UNWTO General Assembly, where countries from all global regions expressed their solidarity with Southern African states by calling for the immediate lifting of travel bans imposed on specific countries and for freedom of international travel to be upheld.
UNWTO noted the recent declarations of the United Nations secretary-general and the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the unfairness and ineffectiveness of blanket travel bans in respect to the countries of Southern Africa.
In light of recent developments, UNWTO has once again reminded countries that the imposition of blanket restrictions on travel is discriminatory, ineffective and contrary to WHO recommendations. Blanket restrictions may also stigmatise countries or whole regions, it said.
During the UNWTO General Assembly, member states and partners, including voices from international organisations and across the private sector, echoed WHO’s advice that travel restrictions should only be imposed as a very last resort in response to changing circumstances.
Furthermore, it was stressed that if restrictions are introduced, they must be proportionate, transparent, and scientifically-based. They must also only be introduced with a full appreciation of what halting international travel would mean for the most vulnerable, including those developing countries and individuals who depend on tourism for their economies and livelihoods.