Greek Tourist Season Closes With Big Decreases in 2020

Peru’s top tourist attraction, Machu Picchu opened for a single Japanese tourist recently, prior to a full opening. The tourist had become stranded in Peru due to Covid-19 and had waited almost 7 months to visit the world heritage site. The tourist was due to visit Machu Picchu in March while on a short trip to the country, but it closed suddenly due to the pandemic. The tourist submitted a special request to gain access which was granted. His trip was designed to include a long held dream of visiting the ancient Inca site.

CHINA'S TOURISM RECOVERY A LESSON WE NEED TO LEARN

The Chinese have got COVID-19 well under control and with it comes the positive and quick recovery of its domestic tourism industry.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, said on the 1st day of the National Day, which is the same day this year's Mid Autumn Day falls on, the domestic tourism market of China has seen 97 million tourists, 73.8% of the number last year. The to tal income generated by tourism activities reached ¥77 billion, that’s 68.9% of what it was in 2019. These are figures that most countries are only dreaming of achieveing in the next few years, not just 9 months out of a health pandemic. Controlling the pandemic is key to China’s recovery in all sectors. Strict measures are in place in different parts of the country, but they allow for a strong form of normality.

Although the tourism industry has not yet reached a full recovery compared with 2019, the recovery to date is strong. In Beijing the 223 major tourism spots welcomed 1.1 million tourists on 1st October, 143% more than the number on 1st May; another big holiday in China; the income generated increased by 169%.

China's aviation industry has also seen a rapid recovery. More than 164,700 domestic flights were scheduled during the holiday, an increase of more than 11%, compared with the same time in 2019.

Many local governments across the country are also acting to boost their tourism industry. Like reduced entrance fees, and transport fares.

Over a thousand kinds of beer of Chinese and foreign brands will be presented at the 1st Hainan International Beer Festival due to take place in Sanya from 24th December 2020 to 2nd January 2021.

The timing of the event being across Gregorian Christmas and New Year will attract more participants and create a wonderful atmosphere. Along side the event will be special golf competitions and a sailing regatta.

The festival will help place Sanya as a top tourist destination as well as for the whole Island of Hainan which aims to become an ‘international center for tourism and consumption’ by 2025.

PARAGUAY ‘VOLVAMOS AL MUNDO’ THE NEW TOUR OPERATOR CAMPAIGN

The main tourism companies in Paraguay and the airlines that use the Asunción route with different parts of the world have a new joint campaign called ‘Volvamos al mundo’ / ’Let's go back to the world’.

The main objective is to reactivate tourism in Paraguay to the world, teaching how to travel safely, making known the requirements that must be met before, during and after each trip.

The main tourism operating companies decided to work as an alliance with the airlines to launch the campaign that will aim to show people that you can really travel.

HAWAII REOPENS TO TOURISM

Visitors arriving in the Hawaiian Islands no longer have to quarantine for 14 days if they take a Covid-19 test prior to travel. The means tourism can begin to return to the Pacific archipelago. Visitors must upload their result onto the state's online safe travel form and complete a health questionnaire within 24 hours of departure.

Those who choose not to undergo the tests will have to remain in quarantine for at least 14 days or face the possibility of fines and imprisonment. Temperature checks will also take place at the airport.

Cerro Lambaré Monument, Asunción, Paraguay

GOA, INDIA NEW TOURISM RULES

The Goa government has approved the Goa Tourism Policy 2020, with the vision of making the state the 'most preferred destination of the year for high-spending tourists' by 2024.

Goa Tourism will be the backbone of all Goa tourism planning, development and marketing decisions; with the aim to strengthen tourism assets, expand employment opportunities and tourism infrastructure, from heavy beach belts to inland ecotourism initiatives.

89% of total tourist arrivals, most of whom are domestic tourists, are distributed between October and December, which puts great pressure on Goa's ecology, infrastructure and tourism assets.

RUSSIA ADVISE CITIZENS TO AVOID TRAVELLING TO HIGH RISK COVID NATIONS

The Lara State Tourism Corporation (Cortulara), has begun to allow the reopening of tourism in the region. Everyone must play their part in making sure the virus does not return and new measures must be followed.

More than 30 service providers and the Lara Chamber of Tourism, are committed to abide by the new regulations and are willing to work together with the Regional Government to continue promoting Larense Tourism.

SAUDI ARABIA SIGN DEAL FOR TOURISM PROJECTS

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund has signed an agreement with Riyadh Bank and Banque Saudi Fransi to finance up to UK£33 billion of tourism projects in the kingdom in line with the national agenda to open up to tourism. Since September 2019, changes have been positive with a new visa regime for 49 countries being created. The coutnry wants tourism to contribute 10% of GDP by 2030.

PANAMA SEEKS TO REACTIVATE TOURISM

Panama has resumed international flights as well as opening back up hotels and casinos.

The reopening of the airport includes hygiene measures and passengers having a negative COVID-19 test before boarding, as well as for those entering the country.

Hotels, rural hostels and lodging places have reopened, as well as cultural and recreational activities, music, art and dance academies, libraries and casinos, but with restrictions and at half their capacity, they also reopened theaters, cinemas, museums, galleries and tourist sites.

The reactivation of tourism in Panama is a huge challenge, but is confident that it will gradually begin to take off. In 2019, tourism and activities related to the sector such as transportation, sales of handicrafts and restaurants, among others, represented some UK£6.5 billion for Panama, approx. 14% of the GDP.

by Caroline-Artemis Laspas