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Sri Lanka to target high-spending tourists to revive tourism

The president emphasised the need to focus promoting medical tourism by highlighting the "successful efforts taken by Sri Lanka to contain the spread of the coronavirus." Sri Lanka will target high-spending tourists to revive the tourism sector which has been shattered by the coronavirus pandemic, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said. Widespread travel restrictions and the closure of airports and national borders to curb the spread of the virus had plunged international tourism into its worst crisis. During a meeting with the members of the newly-appointed Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said tourism sector which make a huge contribution to the national economy should be revitalized to suit the changing situations. He proposed that Sri Lanka take steps to issue visas with a recognised health certificate when tourists begin to return to the island country, the Colombo Gazette reported. He also proposed that Sri Lanka Tourism target countries where the coronavirus has been contained. The president emphasised the need to focus promoting medical tourism by highlighting the “successful efforts taken by Sri Lanka to contain the spread of the coronavirus.” He also urged the authorities to target long-term tourists who often travel to other countries during the winter season. The president also noted that promoting domestic tourism can ensure the hotel industry is protected. He expressed optimism that the economy adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic could be re-built on a solid basis as the government is preparing to resume day-to-day life and work from next week. The number of coronavirus patients in Sri Lanka on Friday reached 824, the Ministry of Health said. The Ministry of Health added that 9 deaths due to COVID -19 have been reported so far in Sri Lanka.

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Princess Cruises Cancels Much of 2020 Summer Season

Princess Cruises has “made the extremely difficult decision” to cancel select cruises through the end of the 2020 summer season. The company said the action was taken “due to reduced air flight availability, the closure of cruise ports in regions around the world and other factors impacting international travel” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canceled cruises and cruise-tours include the following: MORE CRUISE LINE & CRUISE SHIP Marina cruise ship Oceania Cruises Launches “Ultimate Sale” With... Scenic Eclipse Scenic Group Looks to the Future as Construction Begins... Fly Free to Europe in 2019 AmaWaterways Cancels River Cruises Through July 31 —All remaining Alaska cruises on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess. —All remaining Europe and Transatlantic cruises on Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Crown Princess and Island Princess. —Summer Caribbean cruises and all Canada & New England cruises on Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess. —Summer to Fall cruises departing from Japan on Diamond Princess. —Australia-based cruises on Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess through August. —July cruises sailing from Taiwan on Majestic Princess. —Fall cruises sailing to Hawaii and French Polynesia on Pacific Princess through November. “As the world is still preparing to resume travel, it is with much disappointment that we announce an extension of our pause of global ship operations and the cancellation of cruise vacations for our loyal guests,” said Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises. “Among other disruptions, airlines have limited their flight availability and many popular cruise ports are closed. It saddens us to think about the impact on the livelihood of our teammates, business partners and the communities we visit.” Guests booked on these canceled voyages, who have paid Princess in full, will have the option to receive a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 percent of the cruise fare paid plus an additional bonus FCC equal to 25 percent of the cruise fare. For guests who have not paid in full, Princess will double the deposit, providing a refundable FCC for the money currently on deposit plus a matching bonus FCC that can be used on any voyage through May 1, 2022. The matching bonus FCC will not exceed the base cruise fare amount of the currently booked cruise and will have a minimum value of $100 per person. To receive the above FCC, no action is required. Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid through this online form. Requests must be received by June 15, 2020, or they will receive the refundable FCC option. Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for canceled cruises that were paid in full.The most current information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations, and more information on FCCs and refunds, can be found online at Information on Impacted & Cancelled Cruises.

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Air India opens bookings for select international destinations; flights to operate from May 8 to 14

India’s national carrier, Air India, has started taking international bookings for those who wish to travel to London, Singapore and select places in the US from India. The airline spokesperson said that the flights would operate between May 8 and May 14 only. The statement released by the airline said that all those, who wish to travel from India to London, Singapore and select destinations in the USA on Air India flights operating between May 8 and May 14, can start booking. It further read, “Passengers are requested to read the eligibility criteria carefully as available on the link and proceed further for booking only if they meet the same.” Meanwhile, the Vande Bharat flight mission will begin from Kochi to Abu Dhabi, Delhi to Singapore and Calicut to Dubai on Thursday. Also, the first flight scheduled under this mission will also bring back Indians struck in Singapore. Air India will be following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and has already tested all its pilots and crew members for the Coronavirus. Results are expected to arrive by Thursday. As per reports, the airline would operate 64 ferry services to help the passengers in the other countries. The airline and its subsidiary, Air India Express, together will help people reach their home in this mission from May 8 - 14. Who is eligible? 1. Indian and foreign nationals with a valid visa of minimum one year of the country. 2. Green Card/OCI Cardholders. 3. Health workers with valid permits are also eligible for booking on these flights.

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Use ''green zone'' tag to promote tourism, CII tells Goa

Panaji, May 7 (IANS) Goa should use ''green zone'' tag to good effect to revive the potential as tourism destination, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) said on Thursday. At a video conference meet, attended by CII-Goa''s tourism panel chief and top tourism officials of the state government, including Tourism Secretary J. Ashok Kumar, participants urged the Goa government to come up with a post Covid-19 tourism plan, after the pandemic scare ends. "Since Goa is a ''green zone'', it was also proposed that the government allocate a promotional campaign budget at the earliest requesting the Goa Tourism Development Corporation to roll out a digital campaign towards revival of the tourism, thus building confidence and highlighting Goa as Covid-free state," the CII-Goa said. To kick-start the tourism industry, it also advocated a three-tier approach that included tapping state support, taking pro-industry policies and adequate precautionary measures and look for sustainable tourism promotion options. The CII said the financial stress of payment of wages and salaries by the employer to the employees was a big challenge. The tourism industry sought waiver of the licence fee for this year and automatically extend the renewal for a year to support the industry. "With most hotels going empty, it was proposed that the GST be reduced to 5-6 per cent from 12-18 per cent based on room-rate charged," it said.

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UK tourism sector to flag attractions with physical distancing measures

UK tourism industry leaders plan to introduce a physical distancing standards symbol for hotels and attractions to encourage the return of visitors once lockdown measures are eased. The move is part of a bid to encourage responsible travel in the country when it is safe to do so. Visit Britain, the UK’s tourist authority, confirmed an industry mark, similar to the British Standards Institution’s Kitemark, to flag up attractions, and potentially accommodation, that have implemented safe distancing measures. It said it would provide more details when they were available. Visit Britain’s acting chief executive, Patricia Yates, said: “We think as an industry that’s going to be a real shift in where we are in consumer behaviour now.” Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said Visit Britain hoped to persuade ministers to think about encouraging tourism, after successfully persuading the population to stay at home in the coronavirus lockdown. She said the tourism industry would be “asking government to be just as clear when they start announcing the lifting of lockdown that it is socially responsible to go out and travel. And yes, you can drive and enjoy yourself”. The tourism industry is worth an estimated £127bn to the UK economy annually and employs more than 3 million people. Much of that income and employment has been cut off by the lockdown, amid forecasts that some of Britain’s most beautiful spots will be worse hit. The industry is worried the stay-at-home message has been so successful and overzealously interpreted, that it will require a new campaign to encourage people to venture out when it’s safe to do so. However, for the moment it cannot be seen to be encouraging travel when the message from the government is to stay at home. Police and councils have reminded potential tourists not to travel ahead of the bank holiday weekend. David Simpson, the leader of Pembrokeshire county council, said: “Pembrokeshire is a beautiful place and when the time is right, we will welcome you. But that time is not now.” The council and Dyfed Powys police have written to the owners of around 6,000 holiday homes, urging them to remain where they are. Key workers in north Devon have started a campaign to thank tourists for staying away from the area. Preston police reminded the public to stick to the physical distancing rules and only leave home to exercise or shop for essentials.

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Visit Switzerland Virtually This Summer Vacation.

Under normal circumstances, most of us right now would be diligently planning our summer vacations, but these are trying times. As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across major parts of the world, many countries are doing what they can to keep their citizens safe. Restrictions on domestic and global travel are one of them. Switzerland Tourism, while encouraging travellers across the world to stay home and stay safe, has launched a new campaign – #dreamnowtravellater – to keep hope afloat in travellers across the world giving them something to look forward to when the pandemic is finally behind us. A short video released by the Switzerland Tourism board shares with the world the message to “Dream Now Travel Later” against a backdrop of its stunning landscapes. It assures the world that the beautiful country will pause time and stay the way it is and be ready to welcome visitors when the world opens up. The video asks people to stay home and stay safe until that time comes.   Visit Switzerland Virtually This Summer Vacation Switzerland tourism encourages people to stay indoors and helps them discover the Alpine glory Lag da Breil, Switzerland. Reservoir with currently low water level. Wikimedia Commons Under normal circumstances, most of us right now would be diligently planning our summer vacations, but these are trying times.   As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across major parts of the world, many countries are doing what they can to keep their citizens safe. Restrictions on domestic and global travel are one of them. Switzerland Tourism, while encouraging travellers across the world to stay home and stay safe, has launched a new campaign – #dreamnowtravellater – to keep hope afloat in travellers across the world giving them something to look forward to when the pandemic is finally behind us. A short video released by the Switzerland Tourism board shares with the world the message to “Dream Now Travel Later” against a backdrop of its stunning landscapes. It assures the world that the beautiful country will pause time and stay the way it is and be ready to welcome visitors when the world opens up. The video asks people to stay home and stay safe until that time comes. At a time when the world is burdened with stress and worry, the tourism board encourages people to dream instead of the majestic mountains, fresh alpine air, gorgeous trains, scenic lakes and the wonderful architecture of Switzerland that are all waiting for them. The video aims to spread positivity and hope to inspire people to look forward to good times when this crisis is over. Authorities in Zermatt have been spreading the spirit of hope and resilience for communities across the world by projecting flags of different countries along with messages of hope and positivity designed by artist Gerry Hofstetter on the majestic Matterhorn peak. Through the display of these images, the village shows its solidarity with people from different nations who are currently suffering and is grateful to those who are helping the world to overcome the crisis. (IANS)

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