TRAV BUZZ E NEWSPAPER MAY 20200 Weekend Edition

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W e e k e n d E d i t i o n 31st M A Y

TRAV BUZZ T R A V E L

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N E W S P A P E R

Thailand resumes services with revised

guidelines for citizens and tourists

T

he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai is proud to inform you that the country’s efficient front liners have been successful in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Over the past few months, the Royal Thai Government and TAT collaboratively undertook strict healthcare measures to ensure the health and safety of the local citizens and stranded tourists. As of 25th May, 2020, the total numbers of infected patients in Thailand is 3042; a total of 2928 patients have completely recovered; 57 patients are receiving treatment presently and 57 deaths have been recorded till date.

The country still continues to observe strict social distancing and mandatory sanitation regulations issued by the government, however, most sectors including travel and hospitality are in the process of resuming services. Thai government approved second phase for easing restrictions from 17 May. Restaurants, markets, exercise venues, parks, hairdressers, clinics, animal hospitals and grooming parlours, golf courses and driving ranges, shopping malls and hair salons are allowed to operate but will adhere to government guidelines. Before entering such places, customers will have their body temperature checked, wear a face mask, clean their hands with soap or alcohol, and maintain social distances. Further, the government also declared the reduction of the night-time curfew from 10.00 pm -04.00 am to 11.00 pm-04.00 am.

VISA Update (subjected to change) •

By Order of the Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Thailand, the issuance of Visa on Arrivals (VOA) is temporarily suspended from 13 March 2020 - 30 September 2020. This measure applies to all countries/territories that had earlier been entitled to apply for a Visa on Arrival (19 countries)

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Thailand has granted automatic visa extensions for foreigners affected by COVID-19 crisis.

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“Thailand is helping foreign tourists regardless of their status with compassion, warmth and kindness.” by a foreigner stranded in Thailand

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Currently VFS application for Thailand is closed

Airline Update (subjected to change) •

The ban on all incoming passenger flights to Thailand has been extended until 30th June, 2020.

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Thai Airways TG 316 plans to start operation on 1st July (Delhi to Bangkok) while TG 332 and TG 324 are suspended till 24th October 2020.

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As of now, all other TG flights from India to Thailand are scheduled to start from 24th October 2020.

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The authorities are hopeful about welcoming international tourists shortly by establishing a new normal of experiencing Thailand and continue to be one of Asia’s most favored destinations.

INDIA GOES FOR UNLOCK 1.0 MUST TO FOLLOW

9 PM to 5 AM IS CURFEW MASK MANDATORY SOCIAL DISTANCING AROGYA SETU APP 8th June is the Date Religious places open Hotel Restaurant and other Hospitality Services Shopping Malls

Phase 2.

School College Educational coaching institute (decision with state government) Phase 3.

International Air Travel Metro Cinema halls ,gyms, swimming pools , BARS, Halls Social Political other large congregation

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Indian Travel Trade Associations meet Sh Prahlad Singh Patel Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Joining the meeting PranabSarkar Indian Association of Tour Operators - IATO Adtoi (Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India) Outbound Tour Operators Association of India - OTOAI #otoai #tafi

MCEC turns focus to business relaunch in new COVID-19 environment Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is turning its

focus to the future to ensure the business is set up for ongoing success post-coronavirus (COVID-19).

MCEC is a major contributor to Victoria’s economy, with more than $1 billion in economic impact last year alone, and is now starting work to transform the business as a driver in the State’s economic recovery beyond COVID-19.

This includes exploring new business models, products and revenue streams across local, national and international markets.

“

Like many in the event sector, we have found ourselves in the position of not being able to perform our core business at this time, and the immediate loss of revenue has proved challenging,” MCEC Chief Executive Peter King said.

“Our immediate focus has been the safety and wellbeing of our customers, people and the community, which is why we were the first convention and exhibition centre in Australia to make the call to close our doors and help fight the spread of COVID-19.

“Now, we are turning our attention to securing MCEC’s future, both now and post-COVID-19.”

To lead these efforts, MCEC Chief Executive Peter King has announced the appointment of Helen Fairclough to the role of Director of Business Relaunch.

Formerly acting Chief Operations Officer

and prior to that Director of People, Culture and Improvement at MCEC, Helen Fairclough has been with the organisation for close-to six years and is a board member of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Helen is uniquely placed to guide the business through a process that looks at every aspect of what we do well, what we could do better and what we have never done before, but may be able to do in the new world,” Mr King added.

“Through this process, we will be living our values of courage and curiosity, and I’ve given Helen the licence to be unrestrained in what we explore as a business.”

Director of Business Relaunch, Helen Fairclough said she was excited to take on the interim role and build on her experience and learnings from previous roles within the business.

“My remit is to ensure we take advantage of this rare opportunity to ‘pause and reflect’, so we can position MCEC at the forefront of the industry when we make it to the other side of the pandemic. This will including exploring new revenue streams, new business models and new initiatives to positively disrupt the sector,” Ms Fairclough said.

“This is an exciting time to navigate through the change ahead. Even when MCEC is able to reopen its doors, we must accept that the world has and will continue to change. For this reason, MCEC must change too.”

While the Business Relaunch is in early stages of exploration, in the coming months MCEC will be inviting customers and partners across the industry to collaborate.

“We hope to have many updates to share with you about new projects and initiatives over the coming months,” Ms Fairclough said.

Delegation has updated the challenges faced by industry at large to Ministry of Tourism.

Further information is awaited.

Source : Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism Leaders Club OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association of India) Gujarat Tourism Karnataka Tourism Kerala Tourism

Thailand extends Emergency Decree for second time to the end of June The Cabinet today approved the extension of Thailand’s state of emergency saying the measure is needed to prevent the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

The Royal Thai Government has decided to extend the Emergency Decree for one more month, until 30 June, 2020, to prevent a second wave of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections as seen recently in some other countries.

According to the Government’s spokesperson Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, the state of emergency is needed to ensure Thailand’s efficiency on the COVID-19 control measures, especially as the country is entering the third phase for easing restrictions.

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will convene on Friday, 29 May, 2020, to decide on the details for the reopening of more businesses and activities, following the first phase of relaxation from 3 May and second phase from 17 May. The government is also mulling whether the current 23.00-04.00 Hrs. night-time curfew can be shortened to midnight to 04.00 hrs.

Thailand continues to seal off all entry/access points (land, sea and air) to the country. On 16 May, 2020, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced an extension of the temporary ban on all international flights to Thailand until 30 June 2020.

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Airline Special News Bangkok Airways offers 40 kg baggage allowance and waives cket issuing fee (from 1 June – 31 October 2020)

MOT meeting with Travel Industry Phase 2 After first phase of meeting with @iato Outbound Tour Operators Association of India - OTOAI Adtoi (Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India) @atoi @tafi, the next round is with OTA,s.

Hope to see some good news coming soon. What’s your take?

Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited offers special privileges to passengers on addional baggage allowance from 20 kg to 40 kg at no extra charge and waives cket issuing fee of 60 baht per flight for ckets issuedonline viawww. bangkokair.comand 120 baht for ckets issued via its call center 1771 and from the airline’s cket offices from 1 June - 31 October 2020 to facilitate those in need of travel during COVID-19 outbreak.

Today, Hon’ble Minister Prahlad Singh Patel @prahladspatel did a meeting with the Online Travel Aggregators which included Founders or CEOs of MakeMyTrip Yatra.comom EaseMyTrip.com Oyorooms Meeting Agenda is awaited.

The Grand Palace to reopen for visitors from 4 June Quote from Subhash Goyal, Chaiman ASSOCHAM Tourism Council & Hony. secretary FAITH....

I am delighted that domestic flights are starting from 25 th of this month... I compliment Mr Hardip puri and DGCA for the round the clock hard work they have done to make it happen.......

I hope International Flights should start in June ... because life and economic acvity has to

go on and we need to learn to co exist with Covid 19 as we are travelling with Yellow Fever , TB, Etc Tourism an Aviation alone can re start the Economy as the are the generators of employment, creators of Jobs, and engines of economic growth ....

Today 38 million jobs are at stake and only economic activity will help in saving some of them ... otherwise more people will die of Depression and Economic starvaon then will die from Covid 19

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update that the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok will be reopened Thursday, 4 June, 2020.

TAT understands that the reopening will be under strict health and safety measures to control and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, when visiting the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, TAT would like to remind all to stay safe through this difficult time and follow the health and safety recommendations by keeping social distancing, wearing a mask or cloth mask, and frequently washing hands

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WTTC launches world’s first ever global safety stamp to recognise ‘Safe Travels’ protocols around the world Special safety and hygiene mark to provide consistency and reassurance for consumers to speed the Travel & Tourism recovery UNWTO endorses and supports private sector global protocols Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Portugal, Cancun and Seville among first destinations to adopt private sector protocols and stamp The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp.

The specially designed stamp will allow travellers to recognise governments and businesses around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

The landmark move by WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, has also received the backing of the influential United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Eligible businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented.

Destinations will also help to award the stamp of approval to local suppliers.

The launch of global protocols to recover the Travel & Tourism sector have been embraced by over 200 CEO’s including some of the world’s major tourism groups.

Trip.com and Expedia have also supported WTTC’s initiative to reassure travellers and bring back confidence to Travel & Tourism.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We are delighted that UNWTO are supporting the private sector global protocols and our efforts as public-private collaboration is critical to ensure a faster recovery.

We have learned from past crises that global standard protocols and consistency provides confidence for the traveller. Our new global safety stamp is designed to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide.

“We are excited that Saudi Arabia, which is Chair of the G20 tourism group, as well as popular destinations such as Cancun, one of the biggest destinations in the world, Portugal, one of the fastest growing countries in Europe and the holiday cities of Barcelona and Seville, amongst others, are among the first destinations to back the stamp and implement global standard protocols to recover faster.

“Now travellers will be able to recognise the businesses and destinations worldwide which have adopted the

new set of global protocols that will encourage the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world. It will, in turn, help the Travel & Tourism sector to reopen for business and move in a coordinated approach.

“For the first time ever, the global private sector has rallied around Safe Travels protocols which will create consistency across the sector. Implementation by governments around the world will restore much-needed confidence in order to restart the Travel & Tourism industry.”

Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, said: “We welcome WTTC’s global safety stamp and Safe Travels protocols and its contribution to restoring confidence. This is key to build trust and we will only succeed if we work together.

“Public and private sector collaboration are of the essence here and we are happy to be working together with WTTC on the post COVID-19 recovery, and value their contribution to UNWTOs Global Crisis Committee, where we gather other leading private sector bodies, our members and key UN agencies.

“We are united in the common goal of tourism’s comeback to generate benefits going far beyond our sector.

Trust and tourism will catalyse consumer demand, investments and jobs, thus generating opportunities for all.”

His Excellency, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, said: “As Chair of this year’s G20 Tourism Track, we are putting public-private cooperation at the heart of international efforts for a swift recovery. The WTTC’s new Safe Travels global protocols are an essential step on that path to recovery, by helping to provide consistency and reassurance for travellers.”

Marian Muro, Tourism Barcelona Director General, said: “First of all, we wish to congratulate WTTC for this initiative. Right now, Barcelona’s priority is focusing on the adoption of the appropriate security measures and protocols to make our visitors feel safe through the establishment of the BCN Safe City project and other innovative tools.

“Public and private sectors are working closely together to offer security and confidence to the tourism and travel industry in their activity at Barcelona. We are leaving a reactivation of demand and a great interest in traveling to our Mediterranean and innovative city.

“Therefore, and in order to strengthen that trust, we consider the global protocols designed by WTTC to be essential, which will allow the travel and tourism industry to align around the same global health and safety guidelines that will help protect travellers on their trips.”

Carlos Joaquín, Governor of Quintana Roo, said: “Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean have implemented the new safety measures for travellers that WTTC has recognised and approved through the Safe Travels stamp.”

Rita Marques, Portugal’s Secretary of State, said: “Portugal has been committed in reassuring our tourists they will always have the best experience in our country. This stamp, together with our “Clean & Safe” program, is one step further in reassuring everyone that we care, our destination is focused on recovery, and trust is at the core of our business.”

Antonio Jimenez, The Congress and Tourism of Seville Managing Director, said: “Seville supports and applauds the Safe Travel Stamp initiative of the World Travel & Tourism Council, presented to the sector as a series of global protocols with the aim of restarting Travel and Tourism, which, without a doubt, will restore the confidence of travellers, and above all, will make travel safe again.“ WTTC and all its Members from around the world have the safety and hygiene of travellers as their top priority.

Last week WTTC’s launched the first of range of new worldwide measures that were part of its Safe Travels protocols to rebuild consumer confidence and encourage the restoration of the global Travel & Tourism sector.

They provide consistency to destinations and countries, as well as guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing, in the post COVID-19 world.

Detailed discussions took place with numerous key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation, to set clear expectations of what travellers may expect travelling in the “new normal” before the vaccine is available.

The protocols are also being defined following the experience of WTTC members in dealing with COVID19 and based on the best available medical evidence.

It also follows guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

WTTC has been leading a task force with with industry associations and international organisations such as ACI, CLIA, DFWC, ETC, IATA, ICAO, OECD, PATA, USTA, UNWTO and WEF. Evidence from WTTC’s Crisis Readiness report, which looked at 90 different types of crises in the last 20 years, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation and the implementation of standardized protocols.

According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.

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EMIRATES SETS INDUSTRY-LEADING SAFETY STANDARD Emirates has unveiled multi-faceted measures for employee and customer care at every step of the travel journey, redefining safety and hygiene standards on board and on the ground. The new measures took effect today, with the resumption of regularly scheduled passenger flights to nine destinations.

“Emirates is implementing a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the traveller’s journey, to enhance the sanitisation of all touchpoints, and ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees. The risk of catching an infection on an aircraft is already very low, but we have spared no effort in reviewing and redesigning every step, from check-in to disembarkation. Every measure implemented is an additional reduction in risk, and taken altogether, our aim is really to make flying as safe as possible.

“We are working with all the stakeholders in Dubai - including the airport, immigration, health and aviation authorities to implement such measures, and we will continue to review and consult expert advice for any development and changes. We are all aware that we have to adapt to different practices during this pandemic in our day to day activities.

All these measures, in combination with the proactive pandemic management strategies that the UAE has taken, show the seriousness with which we are taking the health and safety of our local and global communities and will give confidence to the public,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer.

CHECK-IN Emirates has introduced complimentary hygiene kits to be given to every passenger upon check in at Dubai International Airport and on flights to Dubai. These kits comprise of masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser. The hygiene kits supplement a slew of additional measures already introduced to keep customers safe.

Gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees at the airport in

Dubai, while only masks are mandated on Emirates flights. On arrival at the airport, thermal scanners at various areas monitor the temperatures of all passengers and employees.

Physical distancing indicators have been placed on the ground and at waiting areas to help travellers maintain the necessary distance at check-in, immigration, boarding and transfer areas.

The airport team has also installed protective barriers at each check-in desk and immigration counter to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees during interaction over the counter.

TRANSIT PASSENGERS Customers travelling through Dubai International Airport and transferring onto another flight, will go through thermal screening upon disembarkation. Transfer desks at the airport have also been installed with protective barriers as a precautionary measure.

Airport staff, dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) will direct customers from a safe distance for extra assistance. Customers will be given an additional hygiene kit at the gate before boarding their connecting flight.

BOARDING The boarding sequence has been staggered and passengers board by row, from the last row to the first, in small numbers. The waiting area has also been modified to ensure all customers observe social distancing. Emirates boarding agents, dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE), will facilitate the boarding sequence. The boarding gates are deep cleaned and disinfected after the boarding of every flight.

ON BOARD All cabin crew on board will be fully kitted out in PPEs. To uphold the highest standards of safety and hygiene, Emirates has added a cabin service assistant (CSA) to the crew

complement on flights over 1.5 hours. The CSAs will ensure lavatories are cleaned at frequent intervals of every 45 mins. Each lavatory has been equipped with sanitising soap and hand washing instructions.

To minimise the risk of infection by touch, magazines and print reading material will not be available during this time. In premium classes, single use menus and wine lists will be provided to passengers. Comfort items such as mattresses, pillows, blankets, headphones and toys will be hygienically sealed. Emirates will resume its service with hot meals, using high quality, cutlery and crockery, sterilised before each use.

Cabin baggage have to be checked-in, and customers can only bring essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items on board. Customers are reminded to bring pens to fill out Health Declaration Forms required for some destinations.

Emirates’ modern aircraft cabins have been fitted with advanced HEPA air filters which remove 99.97% of viruses and eliminate dust, allergens and germs from cabin air for a healthier and safer on-board environment.

After its journey and on landing in Dubai, each aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure safety and proper sanitation.

EMIRATES CREW To safeguard its employees, Emirates’ flight and cabin crew are provided with cars for pick up and drop off at their home at the beginning and end of their duty. Operating crew check in for their rostered flights in a dedicated crew airport facility before being transported to the aircraft. Layovers in destination cities have been reduced where possible and on long-haul flights, where layovers are necessary, crew are put up in individual rooms in hotels. On return to Dubai, where all Emirates cabin crew are based, COVID-19 tests are done on all crew. Every crew member has been mandated a 14-day quarantine in their homes after every flight, unless they are on duty.

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