Europe continues to be getting nervous on rising COVID-19 cases. The way various countries are changing quarantine rules so frequently, they have more or less become like stock indices to be kept track of on regular basis. In the most recent development, Switzerland has amended its list of countries at risk from high rates of infection with the new coronavirus. List now covers all nations outside Europe’s passport-free Schengen zone barring a score of exceptions. The new list has some notable exceptions though, including Australia, Ireland, Japan, Canada, South Korea and New Zealand, although Australia and Japan are themselves facing a resurgence of novel coronavirus in their respective countries. The Swiss move, which aims to curb the spread of the COVID-19, takes effect on Saturday. ...
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With fear of another wave of coronavirus resurfacing, Thailand has delayed plans for a “travel bubble” agreement with select countries. New daily coronavirus cases are rising in parts of Asia, putting pressure on its vital tourism industry and complicating efforts to revive its battered economy. Thailand first proposed the idea in June to allow movement between select countries that have low infection numbers, without the need for travellers to undergo quarantine. But that has been shelved, officials said, amid second and third waves in East Asian countries that previously had their outbreaks under control. “We are delaying discussion of travel bubble arrangements for now given the outbreak situation in other countries,” Thailand’s coronavirus taskforce spokesman, Taweesin Wisanuyot...
Read MoreThe World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has called on destinations to recognize the needs of travellers with disabilities or specific access requirements as they open up to visitors again. In partnership with the ONCE Foundation of Spain and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), the United Nations specialized agency has released new guideline to ensure accessibility and inclusivity as the responsible restart of tourism gets underway. According to the newest data from UNWTO, 40% of global destinations have now eased restrictions on travel introduced in response to COVID-19. Now, with tourism steadily returning, UNWTO has joined disabled people’s organizations and organizations from across civil society to design a basic set of recommendations aimed at maintaining ...
Read MoreAfter four months of the country experiencing lockdown, home confinement, restricted movements and no summer vacations, it is now time for some unbelievably good news. As part of its Mission Begin Again, the Indian Government has announced that it will permit cruise ships to commence sailing from 1st October. In the light of this major development, Jalesh Cruises announces the commencement of its cruise MV Karnika from Friday 6th November 2020. A suite on board MV Karnika In line with its commitment to its valued passengers to offer an enjoyable, safe and secure holiday in your home (away from home) on the sea, Jalesh Cruises will offer all passengers FREE rapid COVID-19 and all other flu related testing at the time of embarkation. Passengers will receive their test results in 15 mi...
Read MoreGlobal passenger traffic is not going to return to pre-COVID-19 levels until 2024. And this is going to happen a year later than was projected previously. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released an updated global passenger forecast showing that the recovery in traffic has been slower than had been expected. As per the forecast, the recovery in short haul travel is still expected to happen faster than for long haul travel. Recovery to pre-COVID-19 levels, however, will also slide by a year from 2022 to 2023. For 2020, global passenger numbers (enplanements) are expected to decline by 55% compared to 2019. While in April, the forecast was of 46% decline. Obviously, things have gone worse. June 2020 passenger traffic foreshadowed the slower-than-expected rec...
Read MoreThis year’s Hajj pilgrims on Saturday finished the procedures of a weeklong home isolation, according to the health protocol approved for the major Islamic pilgrimage this year that begins next week. Pilgrims started arriving in Makkah, where they will undergo four days of quarantine at designated hotels in the holy city. The strict health protocol was approved by the Saudi government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year 1441, and runs to the 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah, corresponding to July 28-August 2, 2020. The Saudi authorities decided to hold the pilgrimage in the midst of exceptional circumstances caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, necessitating strict precautionary measures that have been applied to ensure a...
Read MoreWorldwide differences in definitions and guidelines of quarantine and self-isolation are creating confusion and difficulty for travelers. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called for more consistent travel rules and COVID-19 advice by different countries to counter confusion by travellers and holidaymakers. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, terms such as ‘quarantine’ and ‘self-isolation’ have become much more commonplace now. Indeed, with COVID-19 restrictions in place in almost every country or territory in the world, international and even some domestic travel at this stage involves some form of quarantine or isolation. Those journeying to Europe for the first time since travel restrictions began to ease have faced a baffling array of different types of travel...
Read MoreCOVID-19 pandemic has brought a big shift in geopolitical conditions. The US power is losing its clout and aura with more and more countries denying entry to US tourists casting a damning verdict on its handling of the crisis. Bahamas is latest entrant to the list. Its move is brave as well as significant since the tourism economy of the tiny Caribbean island nation is lot dependent on US tourists. Despite this, less than three weeks after reopening its borders to international visitors, the Bahamas on Sunday announced that it is closing all its airports and seaports to tourists from the United States, effective Wednesday, 22nd July 2020. Bahamasair, the country’s national carrier, will cease all outgoing flights to the United States immediately. Domestic travel is allowed, but pas...
Read MoreSixteen days after Chadi Mubarak Yatra left Srinagar for the Holy Cave and two days after Defence Minister visited the cave shrine, Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday cancelled this year’s Amarnath Yatra in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. At the 39th Board meeting of the shrine chaired by Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, it was decided to cancel the annual Hindu pilgrimage this year “in larger public interest”. “The Board was informed that the arrangements were on track since February 2020, but due to nationwide lockdown and the pandemic, the State Executive Committee, J&K has still continued to keep religious places and places of worship closed for the public. These prohibitions continue till 31st July,” said a government press release. "Based upon the circu...
Read MoreAs signs of recovery continue in the business travel sector, travel procurement professionals are prioritizing the health and safety of employees according to a new poll released by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Over half of travel buyers report their company has changed its travel policy and 70% characterize the policy changes as being ‘somewhat’ or ‘a lot’. When asked what travel program changes have been made due to the COVID-19 pandemic, instituting new rules about pre-trip approval (53%), having more frequent or detailed pre-trip communications or briefings (35%), collecting health information from employee travelers (i.e., virus exposure or pre-existing conditions; (24%) and clarifying or changing rules about ticket credits/unused tickets (22%) are cited most freque...
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