Destinations
GTM 2020 Goes Digital In June
The German National Tourist Board is going virtual with the biggest incoming workshop for Destination Germany from June 22 to June 24. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the GNTB in close cooperation with the tourism association of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as the hosting state have decided to move the physical Germany Travel Mart (GTM) to 2021. Petra Hedorfer, Chairwoman of the GNTB Executive Board, explains: “In order to foster and further enhance the key contacts of our partners of Germany tourism with international buyers and multipliers, we are going to offer the GTM in the form of a...
There’s A Sandals Virtual Fam Today
Sandals Resorts recently introduced a new series of virtual fam trips, created exclusively for Canadian agents, allowing them to visit Sandals and Beaches Resorts across the Caribbean – from the comfort of their own home – all this week. Due to popular demand, the original session for the Eastern Caribbean has now been divided into two: Thurs May 14 -- Saint Lucia 11:00am – 11:45am EDT Experience the three Sandals Resorts on the lush island of Saint Lucia, and the exclusive exchange program between...
A Lifeline For The Industry
According to GlobalData, domestic tourism may well be a critical lifeline for tourist destinations, like Thailand, that have been hit hard by COVID-19. The data and analytics company points out that the impacts from COVID-19 have been felt worldwide with travel restrictions, lockdowns and cancellations of major events. Pre-COVID-19, tourist destinations were predicted to hit 1.6 billion international arrivals globally in 2020, and tourism is a major contributor to the economy, providing 10% to global GDP. Amber Barnes, travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, observes that:...
Safe Travels
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled a range of new worldwide measures to restart the sector. The new measures are have designed to rebuild confidence among consumers so they can travel safely once the restrictions are lifted. Called Safe Travels, the new protocols provide consistency to destinations and countries as well as guidance to travel providers, operators and travellers on the new approach to health and hygiene in the post COVID-19 world. The health and safety of travellers and workers is put at the heart of the new global protocols, which have been...
Tourism At A Standstill
New research from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reveals that 100% of global destinations continue to have restrictions on travel in place and 72% of those destinations have completely closed their borders to international tourism. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the United Nations specialized agency for tourism has been tracking responses to the pandemic. The UNWTO’s latest research shows that while discussions on possible first measures for lifting restrictions are underway, 100% of destinations worldwide still have COVID-19 related travel restrictions for...
Destination Update: Mexico, Martinique, Saint Lucia & More
The Quintana Roo Tourism Board offered an update on the efforts underway to support the tourism industry and it also unveiled details on the united strategy and integrated plan to support the industry’s rapid recovery. The destination includes Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, and Bacalar and the Mexican Caribbean’s tourism industry continues to closely support the Quintana Roo State government in its proactive actions to limit the spread of COVID-19. This includes the latest creative advertising under the campaign name...
UK, France, EU Updates On Border Measures
In his address to the United Kingdom yesterday evening, British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson outlined plans to carefully reopen the nation’s economy. Outlining the plans, the British PM said of the way forward: “I must stress again that all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big Ifs. It depends on all of us – the entire country – to follow the advice, to observe social distancing, and to keep that R down.” And Johnson also indicated that “to prevent re-infection from abroad, I am serving notice that it will soon be the time – with transmission...
Positive Reports From The Caribbean
According to a leading researcher and academic, COVID-19 has been contained in the English-speaking Caribbean and Haiti. However, Dr. Clive Landis, pro-vice-chancellor for undergraduate studies and research, and professor of cardiovascular research at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus in Barbados, and the chairman of the UWI COVID-19 task force, makes it abundantly clear that this doesn’t mean that the Caribbean is out of danger. Landis, who led the research into the progress of the virus in the 15-member Caribbean Community, as well as the British overseas...