Malaysia's coronavirus recovery council on Tuesday said it has recommended a full reopening of borders as early as March 1 without mandatory quarantine for travellers, as part of plans to accelerate economic recovery. The Southeast Asian nation has shut its borders since March 2020 and froze the entry of foreign workers to try to contain novel coronavirus outbreaks. The recommendation comes as neighbours waive quarantine requirements to attract vaccinated tourists, including Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore. FFILE PHOTO: Esther Lee, Hidden Langkawi restaurant owner, cleans a table at her restaurant, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Malaysia September 13, 2021. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng Thailand on Monday said it was eyeing travel bubbles with Malaysia and C...
Read MoreTag: travel restart
Vaccinated travellers from every country allowed from February 21 Australia said on Monday it will reopen its borders to vaccinated travellers this month, ending two years of misery for the tourism sector, reviving migration and injecting billions of dollars into the world No. 13 economy. The move effectively calls time on the last main component of Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which it has attributed to relatively low death and infection rates. The other core strategy, stop-start lockdowns, was shelved for good in December. FILE PHOTO: Travelers sit in the international terminal of Kingsford Smith International Airport the morning after Australia implemented an entry ban on non-citizens and non-residents intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (C...
Read MoreFiji reopened its border to international travellers for the first time in nearly two years on Wednesday, as the Pacific Island country seeks to revive its dominant tourism industry. Fiji shut its border to all foreign nationals in March 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19 in a desperate bid to stop its limited medical facilities being overrun. Performers greet travellers in the terminal upon arrival at Nadi Airport, Fiji in this still frame obtained from handout video dated December 1, 2021. FIJI AIRWAYS /Handout via REUTERS With about 90% of all Fijian adults now fully vaccinated, the Pacific Island reopened its border to tourists from a small number of countries - much to the relief of tourism operators. "To see the Fiji Airways plane full up and for us to welcome those tou...
Read MoreCuban tourism operators breathed a sigh of relief this week as the first tourists in months returned to sip mojitos and snap selfies in vintage cars in the capital Havana, providing a much-needed shot in the arm to the Caribbean island's ailing economy. Communist-run Cuba has vaccinated nearly its entire population with home-grown inoculations, prompting authorities last week to re-open the country's borders to tourism after a nearly two-year hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic. Tourists from Russia walk in downtown Havana, Cuba, November 24, 2021. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini New infections have dropped off sharply across the country in recent weeks, according to official statistics. The Bodeguita del Medio, a restaurant-bar that claims to be the birthplace of the mojito co...
Read MoreTwo hundred vaccinated foreign tourists arrived in Vietnam's beach-fringed island of Phu Quoc on Saturday, the first wave of visitors to the country in nearly two years as it seeks to resurrect its pandemic-ravaged tourism economy. Vietnam imposed tight border controls at the start of the pandemic in an effort to keep out COVID-19, with some initial success, but that harmed its burgeoning tourism sector, which typically accounts for about 10% of gross domestic product. FILE PHOTO: A sunset is seen in a resort after the Vietnamese government eased the lockdown following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Phu Quoc island. REUTERS/James Pearson Vaccinated tourists now do not have to undergo mandatory two-week quarantine, according to the authorities, but are required to...
Read MoreWTTC report says, if key measures are followed the sector could restore more than 47 million jobs by 2022 New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals the recovery of the Asia Pacific Travel & Tourism sector has soared ahead of many regions in the world with a year on year growth of more than 36%. Before the pandemic struck, Asia Pacific’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP represented more than US$ 3 trillion (9.9% of the region’s economy). After the pandemic brought international travel to an almost complete standstill, in 2020, Asia Pacific saw a hit of almost 54%, halving the contribution of the Travel & Tourism sector to the region’s economy. However, according to the research, and based on the current rate of recovery...
Read MoreThe world’s happiest travel destination is once more welcoming visitors Thailand’s picture-perfect east coast island of Koh Samui has long been popular with travelers and is leading the way for the broader reopening of “The Land of Smiles” for visitors from overseas. The last 18 months have been a testing time for everyone, but the Thailand government has used the time wisely to work with health authorities and local tourism providers at one of country’s most stunning destinations to make sure our visitors can completely relax. Visitors can enjoy its unforgettable sights, share its world-renown cuisine, take part in countless outdoor activities and rub shoulders with the friendly locals safe in the knowledge that exacting health protocols have been put in place to ensure tour...
Read MoreMalaysia will reopen its borders to international visitors by Jan. 1 at the latest, a government advisory council said on Thursday, as the country seeks to revive its ailing tourism sector. The Southeast Asian country has gradually reopened its economy in recent weeks as coronavirus infection rates have slowed amid a ramped-up vaccination programme. More than three-quarters of Malaysia's 32 million population are vaccinated, government statistics show. FILE PHOTO: A tourist scans a QR code to check in upon arriving at the airport as Langkawi reopens to domestic tourists, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Malaysia September 16, 2021. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs a council tasked with spearheading Malaysia's economic ...
Read MoreAnantara Gives Travellers Something to Smile About Often referred to as ‘The Land of Smiles’, Thailand is making its long-awaited comeback with the resumption of quarantine-free international travel. To support the country’s reopening and to give travellers a snapshot of what they have been missing, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has launched the ‘Time for Thailand’ travel campaign. From street food vendors and spa therapists to Tuk Tuk drivers, the people of Thailand are sending a clear message to guests across the globe that they are ready to welcome them back. To support and celebrate borders reopening, Anantara is also saying it’s ‘Time for Thailand’ in showcasing the country’s verdant jungles, stunning beaches and bustling markets. A new video captures not only the ...
Read MoreUNWTO and the International Civil Aviation Organization have agreed to strengthen their partnership with the aim of supporting the safe restart of travel and tourism and accelerating the two sectors’ shift towards greater resilience and sustainability. Confirmed a week ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the new agreement underscores UNWTO’s call for enhanced collaboration in order to realize tourism’s potential to lead recovery and drive sustainable and inclusive growth. In the immediate term, UNWTO and ICAO will work to support aviation and tourism bounce back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coordination at every level At the same time, the agreement illustrates a shared commitment to enhancing coordination at every level, from policy research and ...
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