Japanese prime minister Suga Yoshihide announced on Saturday a partial pause on the country’s Go To Travel subsidy programme to boost domestic travel and tourism expenditure, as local infections climb to record levels.
Japan’s domestic tourism campaign is suspended as infections spike across the country
According to local media reports, Japan has confirmed more than 2,500 new daily cases of Covid-19. As of November 22, there were 2,514 cases.
Following advice from an expert panel on the coronavirus, convened on Friday, Suga determined that new Go to Travel reservations to regions seeing a resurgence of Covid-19 cases will be suspended. Prefectural governors will also be asked to stop issuing discount coupons for a similar campaign, Go To Eat, which is meant to encourage dining out expenditure.
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A new research paper into the shifting trends in global travel demand and traveller behaviours has unveiled a strong and persistent desire to travel although consumers are reassessing the type of trips they want to take and the destinations they have their eyes on.
The research paper, conducted by Tripadvisor and Phocuswright, is entitled 2020 – A Year in Travel: Charting the Travel Industry’s Path to Recovery. It analyses Tripadvisor’s first-party data on travel planning behaviours around the globe, as well as consumer sentiment across six major markets, to provide a unique insight into global travel trends.
Travellers still have wanderlust in their hearts, but the types of trips and destinations in favour are changing
The results intend to chart the industry’s road to recovery in the wake of the ongoing pandemic.
Key findings from the report include:
After positive signs of recovery in domestic leisure travel over the summer, demand for accommodation is now falling back in a number of markets as infection rates rise.Signs of recovery in Asia-Pacific were less obvious across the region as a whole between June and October, although some markets – such as Singapore – saw a surge in demand for domestic stays
Travellers are reassessing the type of trips they want to take. Two-thirds of consumers surveyed (65 per cent) say the ability to avoid crowded places when traveling is now a more important factor in their choice of destination than it was pre-pandemic, and more than half (52 per cent) say they are more likely to take an outdoor/nature trip than they were before the pandemic. Between May and September, outdoor activities, nature and parks accounted for 34 per cent of all attraction page views on Tripadvisor, up from 25 per cent in 2019.
Destination choice is changing as a result. Looking at year-on-year data over the October period, ski and seaside resorts, as well as other rural destinations, dominated the list of fastest recovering destinations in Europe for domestic accommodation searches on Tripadvisor, with Zermatt in Switzerland and Adler in Russia topping the list based on year-on-year demand.
Despite continuing consumer uncertainty, the desire to travel remains very strong. Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents are still thinking about where they want to travel next.
Last minute trips are in, but so is meticulous planning. The advanced planning window has shortened as travellers are eager for last-minute, local getaways. In October 2020, nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of travellers looking for accommodation on Tripadvisor were planning to check-in less than 30 days out, compared to just over half (51 per cent) of travellers during the same period in 2019.However, people’s desire to plan travel more diligently is now higher than pre-pandemic times. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of respondents agreed they were going to research their next trip more than they did in the past.
“While there was positive progress over the course of the summer, the re-introduction of tighter restrictions on travel in many countries is clearly having an impact on demand in the short-term,” said Steve Kaufer, chief executive officer, Tripadvisor.
“The good news is that consumers’ desire to travel remains incredibly resilient, and that pent-up demand bodes well for the travel industry in the long run, especially considering the advances announced last week in the development of a vaccine,” added Kaufer.
“The industry has shown incredible adaptability and resilience in what has been a long and difficult year for travel,” said Charuta Fadnis, senior vice-president of research and product strategy, Phocuswright, adding that results have shown that “travel remains a key part of consumers’ lifestyles”.
Current CEO of Tourism Fiji, Matt Stoeckel, will swap one idyllic destination for another at the end of the year following his appointment as CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast, which will take effect from the beginning of 2021.
Stoeckel will take over from Craig Davidson, who has been interim CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast since June 2020.
Prior to taking up his role at Tourism Fiji in 2016, Stoeckel spent two years with Destination NSW, following several years working for the Swire Group and in tourism consultancy roles with TRC Tourism and Hyder Consulting.
In his consultancy roles, he worked with Fiji’s Ministry of Industry, Trade & Tourism to develop the Fiji Tourism Development Plan 2014-2020, which he was then able to put into action as CEO of Tourism Fiji, including rolling out a new brand marketing campaign in 2019.
With international travel restrictions blocking Bali’s usual fans from seeking out the famed resort destination, the Bali Government Tourism Office has turned to a unique segment of consumers to keep hospitality businesses alive: the digital nomads.
In this new episode of TTG Conversations: Five questions video series, I Putu Astawa,director of the Bali Government Tourism Office, details why Bali makes a conducive destination for digital nomads to get work done, what procedures are in place now to facilitate their entry into Bali, and what needs to be done to ensure this segment contributes to hospitality businesses.
People walking in front of the monument to the Covid-19 chest on September 10, 2020 in Jakarta.
Indonesian travel associations are pushing for a revocation of the government’s Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB), saying that enforcement is weak among the public and commercial entities should not be the only ones made to comply.
The request surfaced after a number of mass gatherings were held, including a 10,000-pax wedding ceremony for the daughter of Rizieq Shihab, the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front.
Enforcement of health and safety protocols is inconsistent, with hospitality businesses made to comply more than members of the public
Hariyadi B Sukamdani, chairman of the Visit Wonderful Indonesia Board, noted that there were gaps in enforcement. While firm action is taken against violations of health protocols committed by industry players, enforcement appears less stringent in the community.
Citing an example, he said the Jakarta regional government had fined and closed several cafes that failed to comply with the 50 per cent capacity limit. “Yet, the mass gathering of up to thousands of people was allowed to take place,” he remarked.
“The PSBB does not need to be continued because is it not running as it should. We request that all activities in the tourism sector be returned to normal conditions, where there are no restrictions on business hours and (capacity),” he said.
Budihardjo Iduansjah, chairman of the Indonesian Shopping Center Tenants Association (Hippindo), also questioned the government’s quality of enforcement. He expressed that Hippindo members have been obeying health and safety protocols and investing in assurance tools, in addition to maintaining visitor limits. “Meanwhile, (crowding in the) community without health protocols is left (unchecked),” he said.
Budihardjo also took issue with the Jakarta government’s Rp50 million (US$3,533) penalty for Transitional PSBB violations, saying that “it is unclear how (they) are imposed”.
Despite challenges to business the health and safety restrictions pose, Tony Sumampau, president director of Taman Safari Indonesia II Prigen, stressed that his team has been compliant, as they recognised that they must provide a sense of security to visitors.
But for the health and safety protocols to be effective, both commercial entities and members of the public must abide by them, noted Hariyadi.
Echoing the views of fellow industry stakeholders, Elly Hutabarat, chairman of The Indonesian Travel Agents Association, said the revocation of PSBB would allow the travel and tourism industry to recover its operational capacity and begin mending business dents.
Association heads emphasised that with or without PSBB, travel and tourism players will continue to maintain strict health and safety protocols in accordance with government regulations.
AirAsia has partnered with digital transformation company GrayMatter to launch Scan2Fly, a cloud-hosted technology that determines a passenger’s eligibility to fly before they arrive at the airport, thus facilitating a more seamless and contactless clearance procedure for travellers and staff.
With Scan2Fly, AirAsia passengers can scan and upload their medical certificates during the online self check-in process. This includes the corresponding processing of any required documents to verify whether the passenger is approved to fly by the various authorities and possesses a valid Covid-19 Negative Certificate.
AirAsia is introducing its new contactless clearance procedure to more flights in Asia
The system has gone live for a number of AirAsia flights from Malaysia’s KLIA2 Airport to/from Singapore as well as to/from Surabaya. It will soon be offered for flights to and from Jakarta, as well as other AirAsia destinations where valid travel documents are required prior to travel.
Scan2Fly is among the airline’s latest technological enhancements to improve the customer journey in pandemic era. Other recent enhancements include automated bag drop services, roving technology for temperature checks, and biometric facial recognition technology for its passenger processing system through its strategic partner Vision-Box.
The airline is also working with Vision-Box to further deploy numerous other touchless experience systems, such as digital identity management across the airline’s travel and finance ecosystem.
Javed Malik, COO of AirAsia Group, said: “Innovation has always been in our DNA. Our digital transformation continues to gain momentum as we work hard to make travel in this new world more secure, hygienic, contactless and seamless than ever before by improving our digital capabilities which reduce costs and further enhance the customer journey. As we pivot into a one-stop travel and lifestyle platform, there are many more innovations in the pipeline which we will announce in due course.”
The launch of the Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble will be deferred for two weeks due to the spike in Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong, said Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung this afternoon.
In a Facebook post published an hour ago, Ong explained that although the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore had announced this morning the commencement of the travel bubble as planned on Sunday, further discussions between him and Hong Kong secretary Edward Yau determined that it would be prudent to defer the launch of the arrangement.
Singapore Airlines has promised support for customers affected by the deferment of the Air Travel Bubble
“We will review within two weeks on the new launch date and update again,” said Ong in his post.
“I can fully understand the disappointment and frustration of travellers who have planned their trips. But we think it is better to defer from a public health standpoint. The airlines will be contacting the travellers individually.
“This is a sober reminder that the Covid-19 virus is still with us, and even as we fight to regain our normal lives, the journey will be full of ups and downs. But we will press on and look forward to when we can safely launch the ATB,” he said.
In response to the update, Singapore Airlines has issued a statement, saying that it “supports the decision by the Singapore and Hong Kong authorities to defer the launch of the Air Travel Bubble”.
The airline spokesperson said: “The health and safety of our customers remain our top priority. Affected customers are being contacted by Singapore Airlines. Customers who no longer wish to travel due to the deferment of the ATB can request for a full refund of the unutilised portion of their ticket, and have the cancellation fees waived.”
Authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong are deliberating on the status of their unrestricted travel bubble, which is due to commence tomorrow, as a fresh wave of Covid-19 infections hits Hong Kong.
On November 20, Hong Kong reported 26 new Covid-19 cases, which led Hong Kong’s secretary for Food and Health professor Sophia Chan to describe the situation as “severe”. In-person lower primary classes have since been suspended, and the Hong Kong government has urged residents to cease unnecessary gatherings.
Covid=19 cases are up in Hong Kong, sparking fears of a new wave
According to Singapore media reports, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is likely to make a decision soon on the status of the inaugural Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble, an unique agreement that allows the exchange of residents from both cities without the need for quarantines and restricted itineraries.
In an earlier video message to the public, Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung had described the Singapore-Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble as “very precious and not to be taken lightly”.
The sustainability of the travel bubble is subject to Covid-19 conditions; the arrangement will be suspended should the seven-day moving average for unlinked coronavirus infections exceeds five in either city.
Domestic cruises have resumed in Japan after a lengthy hiatus due to the pandemic, providing a boost to the travel industry and hope for the return of international cruises in the longer-term.
Two Japanese ships have completed short cruises to nearby ports in recent weeks. Both were operated under limited capacity and strict new policies for passengers and crew to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Nippon Maru among Japan cruise ships which have made a cautious return to the seas
Mitsui OSK Passenger Lines’ Nippon Maru sailed from Niihama in Ehime Prefecture to Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture, where passengers disembarked to visit tourist spots, including Huis Ten Bosch theme park. The Asuka II operated by NYK Cruises, meanwhile, undertook a four-day trip from Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture to Shimizu in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The resumption follows the cruise companies’ successful implementation of new infection prevention guidelines laid out by the Japan Oceangoing Passenger Ship Association and the Ports & Harbors Association of Japan in September. These measures require passengers’ health conditions and travel history in the two weeks prior to boarding to be checked. Liners also need to ensure sufficient distancing among passengers and the use of face masks and disinfectants.
The successful cruises are expected to spark a resurgence in the domestic cruise market following the crisis that engulfed cruising in February with the widespread coronavirus outbreaks on the Diamond Princess in Yokohama. Attractions, facilities, shops and eateries in port cities are also expected to see an uptick in sales from shore excursions.
Alongside the development, the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal was opened in September. Capable of accommodating the world’s largest cruise ships weighing more than 200,000 tons, it will act as a gateway for international tourists, which totalled 2.2 million in 2019, according to Statista.
Still, even when international cruises resume, Heather Hopkins Clement, co-founder of private guide service Cruise Port Navigation, predicts autumn 2021 will be the earliest she can see a return to guiding international arrivals. Before that, she added, “passengers will most likely be required to take only the ship’s tours to maintain a travel safety ‘bubble’ until we get past the coronavirus”.
Preferred Hotel Group has launched a new sustainable tourism brand, Beyond Green, in line with the company’s vision to build a better and brighter future for travel while protecting the planet for future generations.
The brand launch comes after Preferred’s acquisition of Beyond Green Travel – which is founded by ecotourism pioneer and global sustainability expert Costas Christ – in February 2020.
Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda (above) is among Beyond Green member properties
The hospitality brand debuts with a global portfolio of 24 founding member hotels, resorts, and lodges that exemplify sustainable tourism leadership.
To qualify for Beyond Green membership, a property must demonstrate leadership in the three key pillars of sustainable tourism: environmentally friendly practices that go beyond the basics, protection of natural and cultural heritage, and contributing to the social and economic wellbeing of local communities. They must also show progress in meeting more than 50 sustainability indicators that align with global sustainable tourism standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotel Group, said: “Never before has there been a greater need to promote a kinder and gentler way to explore our beautiful, yet fragile planet. Driven by our brand promise, Believe in Travel, which guides every decision we make as a company, we believe that now is the time to go big and be bold as we look to the future of travel.”
Added Christ: “While there may be a tendency to think of sustainability as just the latest travel buzzword, its roots are long and deep. What we are witnessing is an evolution of travel, not a passing trend.
“Beyond Green is about reconnecting with our common humanity and understanding that the diversity of our cultures and different ways of life are what create the rich fabric that makes travel so enjoyable and fascinating. In that same context, nature brings inspiration and renewal to our lives. Sustainable tourism is not about giving something up, it is about gaining something more – a great vacation that is also a force for good.”
The Beyond Green platform will support the needs of its member properties by providing global connectivity, distribution technology, marketing, sales, quality assurance, branding, and sustainability solutions, as well as access to participate in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, Preferred’s loyalty programme.
Beyond Green will also enhance visibility for its global portfolio and champion sustainability storytelling through its brand website, StayBeyondGreen.com, which has soft launched ahead of the brand’s official consumer debut in 1Q2021. Beyond Green member properties will also be bookable on a common GDS chain code, to be announced in early 2021.
AirAsia has partnered with digital transformation company GrayMatter to launch Scan2Fly, a cloud-hosted technology that determines a passenger’s eligibility to fly before they arrive at the airport, thus facilitating a more seamless and contactless clearance procedure for travellers and staff.
With Scan2Fly, AirAsia passengers can scan and upload their medical certificates during the online self check-in process. This includes the corresponding processing of any required documents to verify whether the passenger is approved to fly by the various authorities and possesses a valid Covid-19 Negative Certificate.
The system has gone live for a number of AirAsia flights from Malaysia’s KLIA2 Airport to/from Singapore as well as to/from Surabaya. It will soon be offered for flights to and from Jakarta, as well as other AirAsia destinations where valid travel documents are required prior to travel.
Scan2Fly is among the airline’s latest technological enhancements to improve the customer journey in pandemic era. Other recent enhancements include automated bag drop services, roving technology for temperature checks, and biometric facial recognition technology for its passenger processing system through its strategic partner Vision-Box.
The airline is also working with Vision-Box to further deploy numerous other touchless experience systems, such as digital identity management across the airline’s travel and finance ecosystem.
Javed Malik, COO of AirAsia Group, said: “Innovation has always been in our DNA. Our digital transformation continues to gain momentum as we work hard to make travel in this new world more secure, hygienic, contactless and seamless than ever before by improving our digital capabilities which reduce costs and further enhance the customer journey. As we pivot into a one-stop travel and lifestyle platform, there are many more innovations in the pipeline which we will announce in due course.”