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'I feel free': France lifts Covid mask rule on public transport

Face masks are no longer required in metros, trains and planes in France from Monday, as French authorities lifted one of the last remaining health measures imposed since the pandemic began in 2020. Health minister Olivier Veran announced last week that masks would no longer be mandatory on public transport and in taxis, following the large drop in Covid cases recently. "I feel free. Breathing properly wasn't that easy with masks," said 26-year-old Parisian Jaceula Madimba in the metro on Monday morning. France began easing its strict face mask rules in February after a winter surge in cases, but for weeks they were still required at the workplace or in schools until infections declined further. Veran cautioned that the new measure did not mean the pandemic was over, and insisted that the mask remained recommended. "I think wearing masks is still necessary just to be safe, for my friends and family," said Aurelia Imbert, an engineer on her way to Czech Republic for work from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Masks, as well as a health pass proving Covid vaccination, are still required for entering hospitals. The pandemic appears under control in France for now, but some experts have warned against writing it off to the history books, as a new variant may yet emerge. And people with weak immune systems have expressed their concern. "I will continue to wear the mask and invite everyone to do so. We protect each other mutually, let us think of the immunosuppressed," said French epidemiologist Mahmoud Zureik. France has recorded just over 147,000 Covid deaths since the outbreak emerged. Elsewhere in Europe, Spain still requires masks to enter hospitals, care homes and on public transport, while in Belgium masks are only necessary on buses, trams and trains. In Italy, masks remain obligatory in hospitals and on public transport, but also in cinemas, theatres and schools.

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Morocco 'breathing again' as tourists back after Covid shutdown

Moroccan snake-charmer Youssef watched as long-absent tourists again thronged Marrakesh's famous Jamaa El-Fna square, ending a long pause forced by the Covid pandemic. "We're breathing again," he said. The ancient southern city, famous for its views of graceful red buildings set against palm trees and snow-capped mountains, has long drawn visitors including celebrities from Madonna to Yves Saint Laurent. But it was particularly hard hit by a two-year collapse in tourism that saw arrivals to the North African kingdom plummet to just a third last year from 2019. For Youssef, taking a break from playing his oboe-like "ghaita" pipe before the seemingly mesmerised serpent, "it's such a pleasure to be back here after these slow, painful months". Tourism -- which accounts for some seven percent of Morocco's economy and creates hundreds of thousands of formal and informal jobs -- was battered by Morocco's tight restrictions during the pandemic. Today, Marrakesh residents see signs of hope again as tourists have returned to the UNESCO-listed old city's narrow alleys. Cafe terraces are full and foreigners browse shops and market stalls for traditional clothing, furniture and souvenirs. "We're not back to pre-pandemic levels but the situation has been improving over the past month," said salesman Abdellah Bouazri, after serving an Argentinian customer in a Boca Juniors football top. Bouazri, 35, said the coronavirus had forced him to temporarily abandon his shop and find alternative work as a security guard. The father of two was one of many in the beleaguered industry forced to find an alternative income -- including many informal workers without contracts or social security. But he said he was optimistic about the future: "It has been hard, but today I'm delighted to be going back to my real job." - 'Recovery incomplete' - Morocco this week reopened land borders with the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, two years after they were shut due to Covid and a major diplomatic row. That was the latest step in a slow recovery for the tourism sector, backed by the government which has launched a two billion dirham (190 million euro) support fund, on top of 95 million euros it released to prop up hotels. "The recovery might be underway, but it's incomplete," said the FNIH national hotels federation's chief Lahcen Zelmat. According to the tourism ministry, Morocco last year earned some 3.2 billion euros in tourism revenue -- less than half the figure for the year before the pandemic. But revenue in the first quarter was up by 80 per cent on last year, according to official figures, and the finance ministry predicts a "more favourable outlook for 2022". That was reflected in the steady flow of tourists outside the Medersa Ben Youssef, a 16th-century Koranic school in Marrakesh. "This place is magical -- I'm impressed by all the detail," said Nick, a 29-year-old Londoner visiting for the first time. "Since Covid I've been missing exploring new cultures." Nearby, other visitors queued up to the Yves Saint Laurent museum, one of the city's top tourist spots. "The museum was a must," said Coco, a Chinese student living in Germany. "We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to travel again, and we're really charmed."

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Indians now fifth largest international visitors to US, third biggest spenders

India emerged as the fifth largest source country for international visitors to the US in 2021 — up five places from pre-pandemic 2019 — despite the deadly delta wave that saw many countries, including Uncle Sam, imposing restrictions on outbound travel from here for many months. The US received about 2.2 crore international visitors last year, down 72 per cent from 2019. Mexico (1.04 crore) and Canada (25.3 lakh) — that share a land border with Uncle Sam — occupied the top two slots as source countries. India was the third largest overseas source country (not sharing land border with the US) with 4.3 lakh visitors from here, next only to Colombia (10.6 lakh) and UK (4.6 lakh), according to US department of commerce data. In terms of spending by overseas visitors (not including airfares) in America, Indians were the third highest. The commerce department’s data shows US travel and tourismrelated exports in 2021 was at USD 81 billion. Of this, Mexico accounted for USD 11.7 billion, China at USD 9 billion and India at USD 5.8 billion. The 4.3 lakh visitors from India were 71 per cent lower than pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Once in line with the global trend the US also relaxes the pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers from India, travel will again grow at a much faster pace. This will be a further boost when sky-high jet fuel prices fall globally, enabling airfares to return to saner levels. India’s biggest online travel platform MakeMyTrip (MMT) its data shows travel from India to the US “has recovered by 60 per cent over pre-Covid levels, with month-on-month bookings growing by 40 per cent” since January 2022. “With strong recovery, the advance booking window continues to remain similar to pre-pandemic days. About 60 per cent of booking are made for travel within a month from the date of booking, and the rest are being made for any time after 30 days. New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Boston are the most visited cities by Indians travelling to the US. Currently, majority of the bookings are being made by families and couples visiting friends and relatives, and professionals travelling for work,” a MMT spokesperson said. Like most countries globally, the US also limited both inbound and outbound international travel in 2020 and most of 2021 to slow the spread of Covid-19. It lifted those restrictions on November 8, 2021. “In June 2020, international travel arrivals were minus 95 per cent compared to 2019 levels… by October 2021, internal arrivals were minus 72 per cent. Following the end of restrictions on international travel to and from the US in early November 2021, international inbound travel accelerated. Still, by December 2021, international arrivals remained 50 per cent below 2019 levels,” US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) said in a fact sheet on the issue. International arrivals to the US increased 15 lakh (+82 per cent) during the last three months of 2021. And where did Americans go to last year? NTTO data shows Mexico was the top international destination for US travellers, unchanged from 2020 and 2019. Caribbean was the second ranked destination in 2021, unchanged from 2020 but surpassing both Canada and Europe from 2019.

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Thailand’s Nok Air to soon fly to India, appoints Dex Group as its GSA

Nok Air, one of Thailand’s most popular airlines will launch non-stop services between Thailand and India from Winter 2022. Nok Air will connect India to Thailand, via its hub at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok. The new routes will be operated by state-of-the-art Airbus 737-800 with 189 seats. The new route launch will provide the most convenient connections from various Indian gateways to Bangkok, and beyond to over 20 destinations in Thailand including Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, etc. “Welcoming incredible India to Amazing New Chapters of Thailand, with the current COVID situation improving daily, it is time that we look forward to expanding our markets towards the west, especially India. There are many areas there we have not yet tapped into to gain more revenue. As the airlines are slowly gaining their strength, it would be wiser for us if we are the first to take advantage of the situation and gain a foothold through this door. India market is booming and it would benefit us greatly if we are one of the few airlines that the Indian people choose to travel to Thailand with,” said Wutthiphum Jurangkool, CEO, Nok Air. Nok Air is a budget carrier under the management of Nok Airlines Public Company Limited and is proud to have Thai Airways International as a major shareholder along with other forward-looking investors in the company. The company was initially registered on 10 February 2004 under the name ‘Sky Asia Limited’, this was subsequently changed to Nok Airlines and has since been trading in the Stock Exchange of Thailand from 20 June 2013. ‘Nok’ means birds in Thai. It is a symbol of freedom, air travel and friendliness. Nok Air strives to be the number one choice among low-fare airlines in Thailand, providing customers true satisfaction through affordability, reliability, convenience, innovation and care. Nok Air has appointed Dex Group, one of the leading GSA groups in India, as its General Sales Agent (GSA). DEX Group will support Nok Air to establish a strong sales and marketing network across India to achieve the airline’s commercial goals in the India market.

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Resorts World Cruises to debut in Singapore with Genting Dream on June 15

Resorts World Cruises, new Asian luxury and dynamic lifestyle cruise brand will have its global debut in Singapore on June 15, 2022, with the Genting Dream. With its inception, Resorts World Cruises aims to position itself as the leading and best cruise line in the region for Asian and internationally sourced passengers, providing diverse international experiences, which can also be customized by the passengers. The 18-deck 150,695 gross tons Genting Dream can accommodate 3,352 passengers, with a generous space ratio of 45 gross tons per passenger, the most spacious ship in Asia. And with 1,600 crew, she will have the best service with the most crew per passenger compared with any other ship in the region. “The Palace” is a ‘luxury ship-within-a-ship’ at the top deck with 142 suites, including its own exclusive restaurant, bar, sundeck, spa, gym and other facilities with butler service. Genting Dream will cater to a wide Asian demographic that will provide an international cruise experience exceeding its peers. Resorts World Cruises is a brand extension of Resorts World, a global brand with 46 properties in 8 countries spanning 4 continents, welcoming over 80 million visitors a year and served by more than 30,000 employees. The latest Resorts World property, the US $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas opened in June 2021, the newest integrated resort and the only one to be built on the Las Vegas Strip after more than 10 years and features a 26,000 sq. feet Singapore-inspired Zouk Nightclub, the latest and most exciting nightlife attraction in Las Vegas. Resorts World Cruises is supported by management with over 5 decades of international hospitality experience and close to 3 decades of a global cruise experience. Resorts World Cruises will be a game-changer, going above and beyond with its rich Asian heritage in culture, hospitality and cuisine, complemented by exciting music and entertainment onboard. Genting Dream is the only halal-friendly cruise ship in the Asia-Pacific region with both certified ‘Halal’ and authentic vegetarian, including Jain vegetarianism, in addition to Western, Japanese, Chinese and other dining venues. “We started our cruise operations 30 years ago in Singapore and we are excited to again launch the first Resorts World Cruises in Singapore, the first country to re-open cruising in the region. Resorts World Cruises will have its headquarters in Singapore and is committed to making Singapore the leading cruise hub in Asia,” said Tan Sri KT Lim, Executive Chairman of Resorts World Cruises. “We also appreciate the support and trust of the Chinese leasing banks in allowing Resorts World Cruises to charter the Genting Dream,” he continued. 2 Resorts World Cruises’ cruising lifestyle will be refreshing and exciting on so many levels, catering to all walks of life through a combination of diverse Asian and international offerings and activities. This is further complemented by options to curate and customize overall experiences from ship to shore, based on personal preferences with a pulse on today’s trending lifestyle activities. It all begins before the start of the cruise with a multitude of options to plan, choose and tailor activities according to preferences, including exciting choices to substitute inclusive meals in the main dining rooms for alternative ala carte food and beverage in specialty restaurants and redemption for similar values at other outlets. “In response to the evolving market demands and emerging needs for a personalised travel experience, vacationers can now have the ultimate indulgence to enjoy a kaleidoscope of lifestyle experiences on board Genting Dream. With Resorts World Cruises, we hope vacationers can immerse in a truly unique holiday that is rich in Asian heritage with diverse international experiences on the high seas,” said Michael Goh, President & Head of International Sales of Resorts World Cruises. Genting Dream will launch its sailings starting 15 June 2022, in the midst of the Singapore school holidays, with a combination of round-trip cruises, comprising the 2-Night Getaway Cruise and the 2-Night Weekend Cruise departing Wednesdays and Fridays respectively, as well as the 3-Night Escapade Cruise departing every Sunday. Exciting destination cruise itineraries await vacationers from 30 September 2022 onwards as Resorts World Cruises plans to expand its itineraries with more refreshing 2, 3 and 5-Night destination cruises to other popular neighbouring destinations in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Resorts World Cruises is set to provide a memorable cruise vacation with Genting Dream, offering a perfect blend and mix of Asian-influenced heritage and diverse international experiences and adventure, ideal for multi-generation families, couples, millennials and more. The fun begins on the deck with a myriad of facilities and services ranging from a giant waterpark with 6 slides and pools, bowling alleys, duty-free shopping with many renowned international brands, spa treatments and wellequipped gyms with personalised qualified trainers. Having received Singapore’s CruiseSafe certification, Genting Dream will be operated with high standards in safety and precautionary measures in accordance with both local and international guidelines. The state-of-the-art Zodiac theatre will have award-winning and international production shows, led by varied multicultural professional performers, which will also showcase brand new concepts of fusing entertainment and dining experiences at different on board venues with dedicated themes. In addition, a multitude of thematic on-board activities and fun-filled workshops inspired by popular international destinations and trends will be available, including Styling and Make-Up Workshops, Cultural Workshops, Ikebana Flower Display Classes, Mystical Magic Classes, Play & Learning activities, which are all perfect for kids and families and more. With so much to do on board, vacationers are bound to whip up an appetite. Enjoy the comfort of authentic and popular Asian menus, such as traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine with certified and dedicated ‘Halal’ and Vegetarian dining venues as well. To top it off, feast on a widespread of global inspired international cuisine and beverages at any one of the 35 on board F&B restaurants and bars, comprising of inclusive restaurants and specialty restaurants; created exclusively by award-winning international chefs to satisfy the discerning palate of any epicurean. Enjoy also a series of unique beverage experiences on board Genting Dream, ranging from the wine to cigar bars. MICE venues and facilities will also be available to cater to diverse events of different scales, ranging from 10 – to 1,000 event delegates. Vacationers will be spoilt for choices with the selection of 1,674 modern accommodations, consisting of Interior staterooms, Oceanview staterooms and Balcony staterooms for that stunning panoramic view at sea, as well as Palace Suites at the iconic and exclusive “The Palace”, occupying the top deck of the ship with private amenities. With lavish, lush and artistry in mind, each suite is fitted with premier bath amenities, Italian bed linens and more and with personalised hospitality and service through the 24-hour European-trained butler concierge service. In conjunction with the launch and as a gesture of goodwill to thank our vacationers for their continuous support, Resorts World Cruises will offer complimentary cruise credits of equivalent value for all paid affected passengers impacted by World Dream’s cruise cancellations in Singapore between March 2 and August 31, 2022. This is applicable to affected World Dream passengers that have yet to receive any refund from their original booking source. Resorts World Cruises bookings will be available from May 18, 2022, onwards and all cruise payments made to Resorts World Cruises will be kept in a separate account, that will only be drawn down prior to the actual cruise commencement. As such, Resorts World Cruises’ valued passengers can enjoy peace of mind and be assured that their paid cruise fares will remain safe and protected.

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SATTE 2022 opens with over 36,000 qualified travel industry experts and foreign participation

Tourism industry experts participated in SATTE 2022, organized by B2B exhibition organizer Informa Markets at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida. As many as 36,000 + industry buyers and trade visitors across multiple industry verticals like travel, wedding planning, and corporate travel were present at the three-day event with business opportunities. International destinations like Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Mauritius Tourism Authority, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, New Zealand, South Korea, Utah, Israel, Turkey, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Visit Brussels, Miami, Zimbabwe, Los Angeles and many more exhibited at the expo with the aim of attracting Indian travel players in these countries. Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and others marked their presence at the expo. Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Tourism, Dr. M. Mathiventhan, Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Tamil Nadu; Rupinder Brar, Addl. Director-General, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India; Subhash Goyal, Member, National Advisory Council, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India; Yogesh Mudras, MD, Informa Markets in India and Pallavi Mehra, Group Director, Informa Markets in India where among the dignitaries who were present for the inauguration ceremony today. Shripad Yeso Naik, Minister of State for Tourism, Govt of India said, “the travel and tourism industry is one of the world’s largest economic sectors. It has witnessed a huge spurt of growth in the post-pandemic period and is set to continue the momentum and continue on its path of revival.” He also credited the exhibition for becoming a hub of idea and knowledge sharing between enterprising and coming up with “well-crafted solutions to accelerate growth in the travel-tour industry.” Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India said that the tourism industry is in recovery mode from the aftereffects of Covid-19 and India is open to business and travel. Feeling optimistic that SATTE will strengthen the vision of ‘Atmanirbharta’, he further said, “Equitable and sustainable growth and greater integration of newer technology solutions are objectives that need to be attained by the tourism industry.” The SATTE event also has a line-up of conferences on subjects that includes India Tourism: The Road Ahead!; Cinema & Tourism: Enhancing Destination’s Image; Outbound Tourism: Refresh, Rebuild, Re-strategise; Ayurveda and Wellness Tourism: The Big Opportunity for India Tourism; ICPB Conference on MICE and Travel Technology: Making the Future Perfect.

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