Costa Cruises returns to sea
Italian cruise ship Costa Deliziosa is the latest liner to resume services, setting sail from the Adriatic port of Trieste on Sunday, more than five months after the pandemic put global sailings on pause.
This marks the return of the first Carnival-owned Costa Cruises ship to the sea, with a stringent set of health and safety protocols in place.
Michael Thamm, group CEO, Costa Group & Carnival Asia, said: “For the last few weeks, we’ve been working together with the authorities on implementation of the new health procedures that will allow our guests to make the most of their cruise experience while ensuring maximum safety.
“Meanwhile, we’re continuously monitoring the situation with a view to gradually reintroducing cruising on more ships from October, with itineraries extended also to include guests from our other markets.”
Costa Cruises said that its resumption arrangements and procedures have been fully advised by the Italian government and relevant health authorities, and are in accordance with the Costa Safety Protocol.
Safety measures for guests include staggered entry timings, online check-ins, temperature scanning, health questionnaires, and rapid swab tests. Guests will only be cleared for boarding once they have tested negative.
Prior to embarking, crew members have also been tested with molecular swab at intervals and been quarantined for 14 days. In addition, each member of crew will have a monthly swab test.
The destinations on Costa Deliziosa’s itinerary can be visited only by joining the protected excursions organised by the company for small groups of people on sanitised means of transport, and subject to temperature measurement before leaving and rejoining the ship.
In line with the safety protocols, the shipboard amenities and entertainment have also been redesigned. New measures include repeat performances of the live shows for smaller audiences; a switch from buffet restaurants to seated dining in the restaurants; a revision in seating capacity in theatres, bars and restaurants; as well as staggered entry timings and capacity caps for select facilities. Enhanced cleaning and sanitisation will also be implemented in all areas on board.
Other measures include increased sanitation frequency, hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the ship, the introduction of self-service clinical thermometer kiosks, as well as medical staff and supplies. Costa Cruises is also the first cruise company to obtain RINA Biosafety Trust Certification.
Costa Cruises said that it is now working closely with relevant national and local authorities to define the dedicated protocols for different countries and areas in Asia, to resume cruise travelling safely as soon as possible.
Domestic bookings in Singapore on the rise: Tripadvisor
Singapore’s tourism recovery is being bolstered by an increase in domestic travel bookings, making it among the fastest recovering destinations in Asia-Pacific since last year, according to a recent report by Tripadvisor.
Findings from Tripadvisor’s Seasonal Travel Index for Fall sheds light on where Singaporeans are travelling to this autumn as tourism markets continue their path to recovery during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recent Tripadvisor site data shows that globally, domestic travel for the fall season (September 1 to November 30, 2020) continues to gradually recover, with nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of all travellers planning domestic fall getaways. Of those travellers, 79 per cent of them are planning a September trip – the busiest fall travel month.
Outdoor adventures, which have gained popularity since the beginning of the pandemic, are continuing to interest travellers this fall. In fact, 45 per cent of Singaporean travellers are more likely to consider outdoor or nature trips and 37 per cent are more likely to consider road trips now, compared to before the pandemic.
When it comes to fall domestic bookings, Singapore leads the pack, with Tripadvisor seeing the number of users booking domestic travel on the platform increasing year-on-year. While outbound travel is still down year-on-year, domestic travel is recovering the quickest this season linked to searches for hotel bookings for local staycations.
Singaporean travellers surveyed indicated that making memories with family and friends, relaxation and enjoying nature were at the top of their list for their next trip.
In terms of hotel type, travellers’ tastes differ across the globe. While luxury hotels over-index for domestic travellers in the Americas, quaint hotels stand out in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Over in Asia-Pacific, green hotels are triumphing over the competition.
While long trips are ‘out’, last-minute travel is ‘in’. More travellers are looking for short getaways, with 55 per cent of fall travellers booking two- to five-night stays, and 36 per cent booking one-night stays. Fall travellers are also booking more near-term trips, often less than a week in advance.
Across the globe, safety remains critical. Some 68 per cent of global travellers say safety and cleanliness of establishments are important when travelling locally.
“Despite the disruptions that Covid-19 has brought upon travel this year, it’s heartening to see that 66 per cent of Singaporean travellers continue to express that travel is important to them, even if they can’t experience the world like they used to,” said Jane Lim, vice president for global markets at Tripadvisor.
“We’re seeing travellers booking staycations and weekend escapes locally, getting creative with their trips and exploring what’s around them where they can. This fall, we’re seeing a rising trend of travellers looking to relax and rejuvenate, as well as making memories with family and friends.”
Top Asia-Pacific destinations for fall 2020, based on year-over-year recovery are, in order, Broome, Australia; Puncak, Indonesia; Kuantan, Malaysia; Sentosa Island, Singapore; Port Dickson, Malaysia; Bandung, Indonesia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Singapore, Singapore; Hamilton Island, Austalia; and Byron Bay, Australia.
Across the region, beach and outdoor destinations are gaining interest and jumping in rank year-over-year.
In light of the pandemic, the study also found that travellers are more budget-conscious – domestic travellers across the globe are searching for hotel stays less expensive than last year. While more travellers are viewing luxurious resorts and all-inclusive properties, campgrounds and farmhouses are recovering the fastest year-on-year and since last week.
Meanwhile, travelling with one’s pet is an amenity with promising signs of recovery, and supporting the outdoor trend, hiking is recovering faster than any other amenities offered by hotels across the world year-on-year.
Rumours fly about Thomas Cook’s imminent return
China’s Fosun Tourism Group, which bought the Thomas Cook’s trademark following its collapse last year, is planning to relaunch the famous British brand as an online travel agent.
An announcement of the rebirth of the 178-year-old tour operator is expected in the coming days, even as British travel companies battle headwinds posed by the pandemic, according to a Sky News report.
However, the report added, the relaunch would also hinge on Fosun securing regulatory approvals as well as the introduction of further quarantine measures on British citizens.
An insider told Sky News that the timing of the relaunch is uncertain, but that plans for Thomas Cook to be reborn as an online travel agency was at an advanced stage. According to the report, Fosun has recruited a number of former Thomas Cook executives to work on the brand’s relaunch.
Fosun, which had been Thomas Cook’s biggest shareholder prior to the agency’s demise, had acquired the brand’s name and other intellectual property assets for £11 million (US$14.3 million).
Xinjiang gets the nod for regional tourism
Non-local tourists are welcomed again in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, after authorities eased tourism restrictions on September 5.
According to a news report by China Global Television Network (CGTN), all scenic areas and tour agencies in the destination are still required to adhere to official guidelines on epidemic prevention and control.
Tianchi alpine lake in Fukang City welcomed more than 600 tourists from outside the region on September 5 alone. The Kum Tag Desert in Shanshan County also received more than 100 non-local tourists.
Cheng Xiaofeng, secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Tianchi scenic area, told CGTN that all sightseeing spots have reopened, and tickets for staggered entry are sold online.
At present, tourists traveling in and out of Xinjiang are not required to undergo Covid-19 tests or isolation. They only need to show their health codes and comply with local epidemic prevention requirements.
Local infections, fear hamper Japan’s domestic travel progress
Japan’s Go To Travel domestic travel stimulus, which partially covers residents’ transport and accommodation expenses, has met with mixed reception and lukewarm uptake in its first weeks, attracting only two million users in its first month.
The programme was launched on July 22 by the Japan Tourism Agency in a bid to encourage local support for the country’s tourism industry as international travel continues to be restricted.
However, participation has been limited, hampered by the exclusion of Tokyo due to high Covid-19 infection rates and mixed messaging from local governments.
Miyazaki prefecture on southern Kyushu has asked residents to avoid travel, while visitors to Iwate, northern Honshu, were not welcomed. In Okinawa, an uptick in Covid-19 infections following the launch prompted the prefectural government to declare a state of emergency.
Participation has been limited among providers too. Only 17,000 of Japan’s estimated 35,000 eligible accommodation providers are registered under the campaign.
Graham Davis, owner of Cottage Davis Yakushima, an accommodation and eatery on Yakushima, a World Heritage site popular in the summer months, said local accommodation providers were “nervous” about hosting.
Before such a campaign, “owners need to be more confident (about cleaning regulations) and tourists need to think about what tourism looks like in the future,” he said.
Most Japanese residents who took up the Go To Travel programme had chosen to stay local and travel by car. During the peak period of Obon in mid-August, passenger numbers were down 65 per cent year-on-year on domestic flights and 76 per cent year-on-year on shinkansen and other trains run by six companies in the Japan Railways Group.
At Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima, another popular summer destination, 70 per cent of visitors since July 22 have been local, with half hailing from the prefecture and half from elsewhere in Kyushu, shared Yoshinami Egashita, director of accommodation sales. The remaining 30 per cent arrived from Tokyo, despite not being eligible for the campaign.
Marriott launches weekday staycation campaign for Singapore
Marriott International’s new #VacayWithAStaycay campaign in Singapore aims to encourage domestic vacations throughout the week, with immersive experiences as lures to help guests to refresh their body and mind.
The hotel company noted that research has shown that taking time off on Mondays or mid-week could be highly beneficial to one’s well-being and productivity. With that in mind, the campaign presents three unique themed packages that fit various price points and offer experiences suitable for couples, families and gourmands.
The packages are available at: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel; W Singapore-Sentosa Cove; The St. Regis Singapore; and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.
Marriott Bonvoy members stand to enjoy up to 20 per cent discount on rooms and suites.
The #VacayWithAStaycay campaign kicked off on September 1 and will run until October 30, for stay bookings between now and May 31, 2021.
For more information, visit the campaign site.
Vietjet diversifies into ground-handling
Vietnamese private airline, Vietjet, has started its ground-handling operations at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport today, becoming the first private carrier to establish its own ground-handling arm in the country.
The move aims to improve the airline’s service quality and independence, and give it the flexibility to adjust its flight schedule to meet seasonal flight operations and better manage costs.
The company also believes that doing so will “strengthen Vietjet’s image and brand recognition and ensure the airline’s thorough and safe operations”.
“The launch of Vietjet ground services in Hanoi today is one of Vietjet’s milestones of strategic development to optimise our cost-reducing opportunities while enhancing ground-handling service quality and create more sources of revenue,” said Vietjet vice president Nguyen Thanh Son in a press statement.
Noi Bai International Airport was chosen to debut Vietjet’s ground-handling services as the airline operates most of its domestic and international services out of the facility – over 30 routes to and from the airport, serving thousands of passengers daily.
Vietjet has plans to release other new e-commerce products and seek “extra business opportunities” to enable post-pandemic business recovery.
Maldives imposes Covid-19 clearance ahead of tourist arrival
A spike in tourists testing positive for Covid-19 at resorts across the Maldives has spooked authorities into imposing a pre-arrival health clearance for all arriving travellers.
From September 10 onwards, tourists visiting the island nation will need to be tested for Covid-19 and receive a negative certification 72 hours ahead of their arrival.
According to health authorities, at least 16 foreigners and 29 local staff have tested positive at about a dozen resorts since July 15 when the airport was reopened for tourist traffic. All cases have been isolated in the resorts under national quarantine requirements.
Thoyyib Mohamed, managing director of the state-run Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), told TTG Asia that other Covid-19 regulations for visitors will remain the same.
Meanwhile, tourists to the Maldives are now allowed to split their holidays between two resorts, which was not permitted earlier.
The Maldives’ low entry barriers for tourists have helped to restart activities in the country that is heavily dependent on tourism.
Since the reopening of the airport and until the end of August, the Maldives has received 9,329 tourists. UAE arrivals were the strongest for the month of August, with 1,627 tourists, due to the Haj holidays. The UK and the US followed with 715 and 674 visitors respectively.
The first three days of September saw 800 arrivals on Maldivian shores, which led Mohamed to expect an all-round improvement in arrivals this month.
To-date, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines have resumed regular flights to the Maldives. Mohamed revealed that Aeroflot planned to resume flights this month, which would facilitate Russian footfalls.
Optimism is also felt among travel agents despite the new pre-arrival health clearance.
“There is a lot of interest in the destination and tourism will bounce back fast once travel advisories are relaxed and insurance coverage is available,” commented an agent who declined to be named. The agent added that visitors were generally staying for seven to 14 days.
He expects European arrivals to rise once the outbreak in capital city and gateway Male improves and remaining European travel advisories against travel to the Maldives are removed.
TTG Conversations: Five questions with Gregg Wafelbakker, Tourism New Zealand
Destination communications and market presence must not fade out even when tourism is restricted, opine Gregg Wafelbakker, general manager Asia with Tourism New Zealand.
In this new episode of TTG Conversations: Five questions video series, Wafelbakker shares his views on how destination marketing strategies and the role of a national tourism organisation have to evolve with present challenges.
Emirates has returned more than AED$5 billion (US$1.4 billion) in Covid-19-related travel refunds to date, as it strives to clear the “massive and unprecedented backlog” caused by the pandemic.
More than 1.4 million refund requests have been completed since March, representing 90 per cent of the airline’s backlog, according to a release. This includes all requests received from customers worldwide up until end-June, save for a few cases which require further manual review.
Emirates said that it has invested additional resources to ramp up its processing capability since the pandemic’s onset. The Dubai-based carrier also continues to work with industry partners to facilitate refunds for those who have booked their Emirates flights through travel agents, including enabling direct refunds processing via GDS.