News

Iceland removes all COVID-19 related travel restrictions

In a bid to boost travel in the country, Iceland has lifted all of its COVID-19 restrictions, including all border-related restrictions. With this, Iceland has become the latest country to remove all pandemic-era rules and regulations. As per the Ministry of Health and Ministry for Foreign Affairs, travellers visiting Iceland will no longer have to show a negative RT-PCR test report to enter the country. In fact, Iceland will be welcoming travellers irrespective of their vaccination status. The government has expressed, "No disease prevention measures will be in place at the border, regardless of whether individuals are vaccinated or unvaccinated.” In a statement, Iceland's Minister of Health, Willum Þór Þórsson, said that they can truly rejoice at this turning-point, but nonetheless the government wants people to be careful along with practicing personal infection prevention measures. The government also recommends not to interact with others if they notice any COVID symptoms. Earlier, travellers to Iceland had to carry their proof of vaccination completed within nine months or show proof of a booster shot. The government has also decided to remove all limits on social gatherings along with doing away with the quarantine requirements for people who test positive for the virus. After Iceland, Israel is also planning to welcome unvaccinated travellers from next month. On the other hand, France is waiving all pre-departure testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

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Shanghai becomes home to the world's highest restaurant in a building

Shanghai in China has become home to the world’s highest restaurant in a building! Sitting on the 120th floor of the J Hotel Shanghai Tower, the Heavenly Jin restaurant, is officially named the "Highest Restaurant in a Building," by Guinness World Records. The restaurant allows people to dine at an elevation of 556.36 m (about 1825 ft) above the ground. Jenny Zhang, the general manager of J Hotel Shanghai Tower, said, "Since opening, the restaurant has been praised by customers for its high-quality dining experience and service. We welcome guests and friends from all over the world with a higher level experience above the clouds." The previous record for the highest restaurant was set in 2011 by At.mosphere, an upscale fine dining restaurant and bar sitting on the 122nd floor (441.30 m) of the iconic skyscraper Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Heavenly Jin is 100 m higher than the previous record holder. The Shanghai restaurant is all about fine dining and memorable experiences. As per hotel, the restaurant features an incredible open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows, offering stunning outside views. Another prime feature of the restaurant is a 30-m-long Italian mosaic tile mural depicting the Silk Road. The restaurant has an eclectic menu and offers a great mix of Western, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. One can also enjoy afternoon tea service here. Apparently the J Hotel Shanghai Tower is a deluxe property that is also the tallest skyscraper in China, and the second tallest in the world right behind Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. Though the restaurant in Shanghai is the highest in a building, it's not the highest in the world. The title still belongs to the Chacaltaya ski resort in Bolivia at an altitude of 5340 m (17500 ft).

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Demand for UAE visit visas surges as Covid, travel rules are eased

The UAE’s decision to ease Covid-related travel restrictions, such as abolishing the requirement of negative PCR test for vaccinated travellers, are giving a massive boost to the family travel sector as confidence is returning fast for both inbound and outbound travel. Travel industry executives expect the next two months, especially March, to be busy for the sector, especially the UAE-Subcontinent routes, mainly due to mid-term school breaks and pent-up demand for Expo 2020 Dubai before it shuts its doors on March 31, 2022. Starting February 26, the UAE’s National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA) said UAE-bound vaccinated travellers are not required to present a PCR test ahead of their travels. Moreover, most destinations around the world have been easing Covid-19 protocols and now exempt vaccinated travellers from carrying PCR test results. “We have started getting inquiries as school holidays have begun in India, and there are mid-term breaks here in the UAE also, so a lot of families are now travelling to their home countries. There has been a big increase in demand for visit visas also because people now want to bring their parents, family members, cousins and friends to the UAE,” says Avinash Adnani, managing director of Pluto Travels. With Expo 2020 Dubai entering its last month in March, Adnani sees a massive rush, especially from the Subcontinent. 'Leisure travel has started picking up because families are not afraid now of getting stuck in a foreign country. People are confident because they’re vaccinated plus rules are liberalised. Earlier, the biggest concern among travellers was what if we get stuck abroad, but that worry has gone now, giving a really big boost to confidence now,” he added.

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Expo 2020 Dubai celebrates visitor milestone with fireworks

Spectacular fireworks lit up the night sky at Expo 2020 Dubai on Saturday as the destination celebrated welcoming 15 million guests. The display mesmerised visitors, bringing the entire site to a stand-still as people watched. With just over a month to go, people are embracing the ‘it’s now or never before it’s gone forever’ mantra, and with more stunning events, including food festivals, world-class concerts, national day celebrations and International Women’s Day activities, now is the time to visit. Visitors can experience it all with the AED50 Season Finale Pass which gives access every day until doors close on March 31st.

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Wearing masks in private cars not mandatory in Delhi: DDMA

As the Covid-19 pandemic recedes in the capital, people will no longer be required to wear masks in private cars from Monday, the health department announced on Saturday. Additionally, people caught not wearing a mask in public will be asked to pay a fine of ₹500 instead of ₹2,000, authorities said. Other Covid-19 curbs such as night curfew, restrictions on standing passengers in public transport, and 50% seating cap in restaurants and bars will be removed from Monday, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said in an order on Saturday. All schools have been asked to resume physical classes from April The authority has decided that although face coverings will remain mandatory in public places, people travelling together in private four-wheelers will not be asked to mandatorily wear masks, the Delhi health department said in its order. The easing came as Delhi’s pandemic situation improved with just 440 cases reported on Saturday. The infection positivity rate has dropped to 0.83%. The relaxation, however, does not extend to taxis and mass transit. “Even if a family travels together in a commercial four-wheeler, they will need to wear masks,” a Delhi government official clarified, requesting anonymity. Exempting people from wearing masks in private vehicles was a welcome decision and the government should have done this a long time ago, an health expert said. “Usually family members or people known to one another travel in private vehicles. They are usually already exposed to one another at home and other places where they meet,” said Dr Jugal Kishore, head of the department of community medicine at Safdarjung Hospital. “Asking such people to wear masks when they get into a private car did not serve any purpose in checking the spread of coronavirus.” No separate data has been maintained by district authorities of people fined for not wearing masks inside cars, a district magistrate said, but declined to be named. Data of the number of fines issued since the government made masks mandatory since June 13, 2020,and imposed a penalty on violations was not immediately available.

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Dubai prepares for return of Arabian Travel Week

RX Global has unveiled plans for Arabian Travel Week, a series of digital and in person events in Dubai this spring designed to foster a recovery in the hospitality sector. At the centre will be Arabian Travel Market, the leading trade show in the Middle East, which will focus on the future of international travel. Delegates will examine the likely challenges ahead for the sector, while looking at how to build resilience in an industry that is still coming to terms with the “new normal”. “Covid-19 has dominated our lives since March 2020 and continues to do so in many parts of the world. “However, although international travel and tourism has learnt from past experiences and adapted in some cases almost seamlessly, we now have an ideal opportunity to look ahead to the future of our industry. “Dwelling too much on the pre-covid past, would not necessarily be productive, especially because so many industry parameters and social attitudes have since been completely reset,” said Danielle Curtis, exhibition director, Middle East, Arabian Travel Market. Working in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the event will take place live and in-person from Monday, May 9-11. In similar fashion to the 2021 format, a virtual edition will again take place the following week on May 17-18. “Undoubtedly innovation through internet of things, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and improved connectivity overall, will change the face of our industry dramatically, however, there are other challenges, that we should address together and share industry best practice. “These issues include climate change and broader social challenges, as well as stakeholder attitudes towards equity in health, education and economic opportunity, particularly in the communities that we operate in,” added Curtis. Show highlights in 2022 will include, among others, destination summits focused on key source markets in Saudi Arabia, China and India, as well as Travel Forward, the leading global event for travel technology which puts a spotlight on the latest, next generation technology for travel and hospitality.

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