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Portugal Launches Travel Insurance for International Tourists, Amid COVID-19

Portugal has launched its travel insurance scheme for international tourists, amidst Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The country’s latest initiative has been promoted by RNA Seguros de Assistência, and all interested persons can get detailed information online, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. Medical, surgical, hospital and pharmaceutical expenses will be included in the travel insurance that will be extended in the whole country. According to the organisation “The objective is to guarantee, to all who visit Portugal, that they can travel around the country, safe and with confidence.” The movement comes in an effort to revive the tourism sector, which has been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Portugal is not the only territory that seeks to guarantee safe holidays to its visitors. Earlier this week, authorities in Spain’s Canary Islands signed an insurance policy which ensures travellers who chose the Atlantic archipelago that they will have all their expenses paid, in case that they get infected by the COVID-19, during their stay. Spain’s Canary Islands became the first of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain to offer travel insurance for visitors, which covers medical, quarantine and repatriation costs. In April, Portugal’s government supported the work of the European Commission, Member States and other European Union institutions in their joint effort to find an ambitious European recovery plan, in a “spirit of unwavering solidarity”, to help Europe recover from the damaged caused by the deadly virus. Earlier this month, Portugal announced new air traffic rules, according to the Portuguese Government website. Portugal announced that air traffic would continue to remain open with countries in the European Union and the Schengen Zone as well as the United Kingdom. According to the announcement, regular flights will be resumed with 12 countries outside the EU.

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Thailand most confident country in the world to reopen tourism sector

As Thailand gradually reopens its borders, new findings from a global study suggests that four out of five (82%) Thais are confident that Thailand is well-prepared to reopen its tourism and leisure activities, the highest globally. The study also found that tourists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and India are all targeting Thailand as their first destination when their countries’ borders reopen. Jointly conducted by leading social research agency Blackbox Research, data provider Dynata, and language partner Language Connect, Unravel Travel: Fear & Possibilities in a Post Coronavirus (COVID-19) World examines the sentiments, preferences, and expectations of 10,195 people across 17 countries regarding travel in a post-COVID-19 world. Thailand’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, with foreign tourist dollars contributing around 11% to the national economy. The vast majority (93%) of Thais recognise the importance of the tourism sector is to the local economy. In fact, 22% of Thais agree that there is an urgent need for tourism boards, including their own, to promote tourism for economic reasons – the highest globally. Saurabh Sardana, chief operating officer of Blackbox Research, said: “It is evident from our findings the immense value tourism contributes to Thailand’s economy. As Thailand progressively opens its borders to international visitors, its immediate priority will be to regain traveller confidence, through reinforcing how Thailand has in place strict health and safety measures, keeping everyone safe.” “In turn, businesses and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) need to work collaboratively and ensure full compliance with these measures, and effectively communicate their efforts through the right channels. Only through stringent health protocols and regular public communication can the tourism industry successfully revitalise itself,” he added. Amongst Southeast Asian countries, Thailand has the strongest domestic appeal. 91% of Thais are keen to support local travel attractions in the next 12 months – a positive sign given Thailand’s recent investment of THB 22.4 billion (USD 720 million) to stimulate its domestic tourism, of which partial financial aid will be provided to local tourists for selected hotels and restaurants throughout the country. Other key findings from the survey were: 1. Overall, international leisure travel in the short term is off the schedule for most people, with 44% of respondents still keen to avoid international vacations. 2. Notably, Japanese (32%), Filipinos (42%), New Zealanders (43%) and Australians (52%) are least eager to take long-haul trips. 3. Australia and Japan emerged as the two most popular destinations for Asian travellers, while Spain is on the top of the list of European travellers given their June COVID-19 cases saw a downward trend. 4. The countries whose tourism appeal took the biggest hit during the pandemic are China, Italy, and the US.

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India inks air bubble deal with Maldives

India on Thursday signed an air bubble agreement with the Maldives, making it the sixth country in a growing list of places where Indians can travel to. The first flight to Male will leave from here on August 18. An air bubble between countries allows citizens to travel freely between specified nations without having the need to undergo on-arrival quarantine. India currently has allowed travel to the US, the UK, Germany, France and Kuwait, and is in talks with Canada for a similar travel arrangement. The agreement with Maldives was inked during a video conference between External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar and his Maldives counterpart Abdulla Shahid. During the virtual meet, India also announced a new Indian Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 400 million along with a grant component of USD 100 million for the Greater Male Connectivity Project. This will be the single-largest infrastructure project in the Maldives and will link Male with Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi islands. Additionally, India renewed its commitment to provide 11 essential commodities to the Maldives to strengthen food security on the island. The ministry also announced that a Cargo Ferry service between India and the Maldives will commence at an early date. In addition to connecting Male, the ferry service carries the potential to link Kulhudhuhfushi port to India and improve economy of northern Maldives. The initiative, which is expected to boost tourism, was announced during Modi’s two-day state visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2019.

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Vaishno Devi Yatra may not take off after Aug 16 as 11 test positive for COVID-19

New Delhi: The Vaishno Devi yatra was set to resume from August 16. But with reports coming in, at least 11 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 at Bhawan in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district. This may affect the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage as it may not resume from the the aforementioned date. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had decided to open religious premises and places of worship from August 16 but extended other standard operating procedures for COVID-19 containment till August 31. “Major decision by J&K Government. All religious places and places of worship to open in Jammu & Kashmir from August 16, 2020. Religious processions and large religious gatherings remain strictly prohibited,” government spokesperson Rohit Kansal had said in a tweet. “Major decision by J&K Government. All religious places and places of worship to open in Jammu & Kashmir from August 16, 2020. Religious processions and large religious gatherings remain strictly prohibited,” government spokesperson Rohit Kansal had said in a tweet. Also Read - Unlock 3: Religious Places in J-K to Open From Aug 16, Touching Idols Not Allowed | Check SOPs Issuing guidelines for Vaishno Devi yatra, it had said that a maximum of 500 pilgrims per day would be permitted within the ceiling in a graded manner from outside J&K. The administration had also declared all districts of Kashmir except Bandipora as red zones while Ramban is the only district in Jammu division to be included in this category. Doda and Kishtwar districts were placed in green zones while rest of the seven districts in Jammu region and Bandipora district had been categorised as orange zones.

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Adventure tourism in Mewar to attract visitors

Udaipur: Udaipur attracts tourists from around the world with its scenic beauty, lakes, hills and forests. Now, to woo the guests visiting Udaipur and Kumbalgarh fort to Rajsamand, the department of tourism and district administration are all set to commence paragliding activities there. The department is collaborating with a Jodhpur-based aerial adventure sports company which will conduct paragliding sessions for adventure lovers during weekends initially. “We hope to create a tourist circuit Udaipur-Kumbalgarh-Rajsamand to attract visitors and get them hooked to the scenic beauty here, we are launching the sport on weekend basis initially,” said Shikha Saxena, deputy director, tourism.Rajsamand would be promoted for its adventure sports activities where people can experience their passion for flying. Trials have been held successfully and the activity would be launched from Friday onwards. “Anyone from six years onwards up to the age of 84, can paraglide without any previous experience. Passengers would sit in the front having 360 degrees bird-like view flying above the picturesque Rajsamand Lake from a height of 700 to 1,000 feet depending on the wind condition,” Samarth Sharma from Sky Ventures said. Looking at the pandemic conditions, the joy rides timing has been limited. Flyers can enjoy these rides from 7.30am to 11am and 4pm to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

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FAITH urges government to launch campaign to dispel consumer fear

NEW DELHI: The Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) on Wednesday met representatives of the tourism ministry to suggest of ways to revive demand which has taken a severe hit following the coronavirus pandemic. The industry body urged the ministry to form a task force to coordinate state and central government policies to allay consumer fears. It added that the ministry should launch a high-decibel campaign focussing on how safe Indian tourism is in different local languages. It has suggested incentivising travel within India--both for business and leisure--by creating structured tax breaks. It also urged a statutory waiver on all fixed liabilities such as power cost, liquor permits, property cesses, among others, and brining down GST on hotel room tariffs above ₹7,500 to 12% from 18%. A multi-year e-visa holiday for all categories has also been proposed as and when international tourism reusmes. This needs to be complemented by publicising widely the revised 96-hour policy for covid-19 testing and ensuring standardisation across all airports. They also discussed holding the Indian Tourism Mart for international tour operators to establish confidence and showcase the incredible tourism offers in the first or the fourth week of November. Tour operators and travel agents recognised by tourism ministry should be allowed to operate tours for adventure, religious, or education purposes, the association said. For tourist hinterlands, last-mile air connectivity has been recommended under the Udaan policy, with increased state support till private demand picks up. The federation has mooted revising guidelines to to allow 300 guests for an indoor event and up to 500 in open areas. It added that IGST be enabled for hospitality industry as it will allow companies to claim GST credit while using hotels for meetings in other states. "To financially protect the tourism companies, till the resolution plan is set in motion by the RBI, FAITH Associations proposed extension of the moratorium of tourism & hospitality companies. They have also requested for automatic extension of all tourist transport and tour operators permits , liquor licenses and other extensions," according to a statement.

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