GUATEMALA reopens borders

Enabled by clear guidelines from Dubai Tourism and an aligned approach taken by stakeholders across the public and private sectors, the industry is looking to rapidly and safely rescale, with local business events resuming on 15 September and international business events set to return from 1 October. Upcoming events in the city include The Airport Show (26-28 October), Annual Radiology Meeting (1 -3 November) and Cityscape’s 2020 Real Estate Summit (16-17 November).

Underpinning the resumption of business events are guidelines for organisers and venues that prioritise the health and safety of all parties involved, while at the same time facilitating the meetings, conversations, networking and learning opportunities that attendees seek. These complement the measures already in place across other touchpoints across the city, including airports, hotels, attractions and dining establishments that have already paved the way for the resumption of tourism since 7 July.

GUATEMALA REOPENS BORDERS

After being closed for 6 months, the borders of Guatemala are open again to commercial flights. The first flights were from the USA.

Operations at the La Aurora International Airport and Mundo Maya, can commence under the sanitary protocols endorsed by the health authorities and recommendations of International Civil Aviation.

Antigua, Guatemala

In order for a Guatemalan or foreigner to be allowed into the country, authorities will only require a negative PCR test for covid19 taken no more than 72 hours beforehand.

The maritime borders have also reopened and for the entry of visitors '24 hours prior to arrival, the ship's authorities will send a preliminary declaration of maritime health and the record of the temperature of the passengers and crew of the last 24 hours and a declaration of that they have no suspects for Covid-19 on board.'

Between January and June this year just 343,000 visitors arrived in the country, 61% less than for the same period of 2019, all due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

THE PARIS TOURISM

COMMITMENT CHARTER AND ITS ‘CARING ATTITUDE’

The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau have launched ‘Caring Attitude’, for Parisian tourism industry professionals. Its objective is to sign up to a series of commitments to welcome visitors around a common set of values and in accordance with the health measures in force.

The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau have worked closely with Paris tourism stakeholders and Paris City Hall to prepare for the recovery of tourism activity in the French capital.

7 pledges for experiencing Paris carefree: • Tourism stakeholders ensure that the health measures recommended by the National Public Health Agency are implemented and complied with. • A contact person for health protocol is appointed as a guarantor of good practice within establishments welcoming the public. • Training in these new health measures is provided for the staff of these signatory establishments. • Services are adapted to limit physical interaction (contactless payment, elimination of documentation, management of incoming and outgoing flows of people, etc.). • Favouring of ‘Caring attitude’ partners to ensure the quality of the entire customer path. • Favouring of flexible booking and cancellation conditions. • Attachment to the values of welcome and benevolence of the City of Paris. A new customer path for visiting Paris At each stage of your trip, from your journey, to your first steps in Paris, the way you get around the city as well as your sightseeing and leisure activities are the object of all the attention of tourism sector professionals, who attach great importance to your well-being. This is the assurance of a supervised and quality customer path.

GREEK TOURISM REVENUE DROPS 86%

In the first 7 months of 2020, Greece saw a drop in inbound tourism receipts of 86.3%. This is attributed to the Covid-19 virus pandemic. Non-resident arrivals fell 80.1% year-on-year, while transportation revenues (mainly ocean freight) dropped 12.2%.

CHILE IS FIRST IN LATIN AMERICA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Chile has ranked 1st in Latin America in the 2020 Sustainable Development ranking. The assessment analyses the progress of countries with respect to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) within the 2030 Agenda established by the UN.

Valle de la Luna, Chile

Chile achieved a total score of 77.4, surpassing the regional average. In Latin America, after Chile, were Costa Rica (75.1 points), Uruguay (74.3 points) and Ecuador (74.3 points).

VOUCHER SCHEME IN DRAFT TOURISM PLAN

In a bid to keep tourism afloat in Northern Ireland a draft tourism action plan is being discussed which would introduce a voucher scheme to give households UK£50 to spend at local businesses. The idea came from several industry bodies as part of a tourism working group.

Bushmills, North Ireland, UK

Northern Ireland's tourism was looking forward to a record breaking year, with its tourism industry worth UK£1bn. The coronavirus pandemic, global lockdowns and current travel restrictions have damaged the international market.

The voucher scheme would be one a several attempts to support the tourism sector and would run in partnership with major Northern Ireland media outlets. It would allocate a set number of UK£50 vouchers to readers to redeem at participating businesses and be available to all

households in Northern Ireland.

Since 2006 it has had HRH Prince Charles as the owner of a traditional farmhouse in the village. HRH purchased the farmhouse in support of preserving the village architecture and the local way of life, which is unchanged for hundreds of years. In 2015, the Prince of Wales Foundation Romania was launched in order to preserve heritage architecture, supporting smallholder farmers and helping to develop sustainable businesses.

Following a recent visit by the Prince, the village has been overwhelmed by Romanian tourists turning up to the village in their thousands and in their cars.

Tourists are keen to take photos of the Prince’s blue Saxon farmhouse, which dates back to the 18th century.

In 2019, 45,000 tourists visited Viscri's 12th century fortified Lutheran Church. In 2015 that figure were just 15,000.

With Covid-19 restrictions, like many countries, domestic tourism has boomed and hence the increase in Romania tourism to the village.

The situation is bitter-sweet as tourism helps support local businesses in the area, but it has also increased house prices beyond the reach of locals.

CHINA TOURISM

The number of tourists at the A-level tourist attractions across China increased by 158.7% in Q2 2020, while revenue grew 131.7%. In July and August, all tourist resorts in China reopened, and the number of tourists recovered to about 90% of last year's level.

JAPAN OPENING BORDERS FOR ALL NON-TOURIST NEW VISA APPLICANTS

From this month, Japan will relax its border restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19 and allow entry for new visa applicants other than tourists from all regions.

Under the existing travel controls, travellers from 159 countries and regions have been denied entry.

Exceptions had been made for foreign nationals with valid residence statuses, some newcomers in urgent situations as well as certain visa applicants whose families live in Japan or whose presence is necessary for their employer to continue business operations.

Nagano, Japan

The relaxed border control measures, will apply to new residents with permission to stay more than 3 months, regardless of where they come

from.