Contents

This year Costa Rica celebrates the bicentennial of its independence and plans are for a full celebration throughout the year and across the country (Covid permitting) with Independence Day on 29th October.

Alajuela, Heredia, San José, Cartago, Ujarraz, Barva or Bagaces are some of the towns preparing to host the Bicentennial celebrations. Official activities will be coordinated according to the evolution of the pandemic.

Throughout 2020 Costa Rica has followed a tourism strategy aimed at continuing to support small and medium-sized tourism companies with collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve the quality of the tourism product and respect health protocols.

Looking to 2021, Costa Rica continues to position itself as a ‘sustainable’ destination for the whole year, with multiple alternatives from well-being, adventure, bird watching, nature and rural tourism, culture, honeymoons, sun and beach, families, MICE or cruises. The opening of the air border is of key importance for the reactivation of employment through the tourist industry, one of the main engines of the national economy.

There are more than 300 Costa Rican companies with the ‘Safe Travels’ seal, granted by the World Travel and Tourism Council to the country, which guarantees compliance with health protocols for tourism activities.

TOURISM SECTOR COLLAPSE DUE TO PANDEMIC

In the first 10 months of 2020 international arrivals fell by 72%, with travel restrictions, low consumer confidence and a global fight to contain the COVID-19 virus. Combined, this contributed to the worst year on record in the history of tourism.

Data from UNWTO confirms that destinations welcomed 900 million fewer international tourists between January and October, compared to the same period in 2019. This equates to a loss of UK£688 billion in export revenues from international tourism, over 10 times the loss seen in 2009 due to impact of the global economic crisis.

Even with the rollout of vaccines helping to boost traveller confidence, there is still a long road to recovery. Borders need to be safely opened while tourism jobs and businesses need supporting.

UNWTO figures confirm that international arrivals declined by 70-75% for the whole of 2020. This is the level global tourism was at 30 years ago, with 1 billion fewer arrivals and a loss of some UK£810 billion in international tourism receipts. This has resulted in an economic loss of UK£1.472 trillion in world GDP.

Asia and the Pacific saw an 82% decrease in arrivals in the first 10 months of 2020. The Middle East recorded a 73% decline, while Africa saw a 69% drop. International arrivals in both Europe and the Americas declined by 68%.

www.bmlinternational.co.uk

The Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority has launched a winter campaign called the Saudi ‘Arabian Winter’ season aimed at visitors to discover more than 17 destinations across the Kingdom.

The campaign will provide more than 300 packages and experiences, offered by over 200 private sector establishments. Saudi nationals and non-Saudi residents travelling as families, in groups or as individuals, as well as GCC nationals will have the opportunity to experience these offers to help them explore and discover the Kingdom's geographical and climate diversity.

THAILAND’S SPECIAL TOURIST VISA

Visitors from around the world can now apply for the new Special Tourist Visa. Original this visa was designed for travellers coming from countries with a ‘low risk’ of spreading Covid-19. The 90 day stay visa which can be extended twice means a stay of 9 months is possible. Tourists, business travellers, investors and crews of foreign yachts are eligible for the Special Tourist Visa. However, visa holders still need to quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival; need proof of their long-term accommodation or residence in Thailand (hotel reservation, rental contract or ownership documents); need medical and travel insurance as well as a valid Fit to Fly medical certificate.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES PROMOTES DESERT WINTERS and LOCAL TOURISM

The UAE has launched a campaign to encourage domestic tourism by promoting its desert winters, as it begins to recover from the impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This is the 1st federal domestic tourism campaign titled ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ and invites the public to explore the hidden gems of the 7 emirates.

ENCOURAGES

Like much of the world, the UAE had been forced to shut down its international tourism sector due to the coronavirus pandemic, but has since begun to reopen with strict coronavirus protocols in place.

Each of the 7 emirates features rich tourist experiences, massive resources and cultural, archaeological and architectural treasures.

OMAN TOURISM BOOST - VISA-FREE, 10-DAY ENTRY TO 103 COUNTRIES

Nationals from 103 counties requiring an entry visa for a stay of up to 10 days, will now not require one in a bid to support tourism and offer hope to the struggling economy. Visitors must have a confirmed hotel reservation, health insurance and a return ticket.

The country resumed international flights on 1 October but only citizens and people holding valid existing residency and work visas could enter.

LONDON HOTEL OPENINGS IN 2021

Despite a global pandemic, life does indeed go on and that is the case with several new hotel offerings scheduled to open in London this year.

Beaverbrook Town House, London - Opening Summer 2021 Beaverbrook is partnering with Cadogan Estates to bring the luxury of the award-winning country house hotel to Chelsea for 2021. Following a UK£25million restoration of two Georgian townhouses located on Sloane Street opposite Cadogan Place Gardens, the boutique hotel will offer 14 luxury suites, plus a contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar. It will be Cadogan’s 4th hotel collaboration, alongside 11 Cadogan Gardens, which joined luxury hotel and restaurant collection Relais and Chateaux in 2019, the Belmond Cadogan Hotel and the forthcoming Costes Hotel at One Sloane Square.

The Broadwick Soho, London - Opening Autumn 2021 The Broadwick Soho, is an independent luxury hotel 57 residential-style guestrooms, 9 suites, 1 penthouse, a rooftop cocktail bar with a large terrace with stunning views across the Soho skyline. There will also be a street-level Italian restaurant. Many of the higher-tier rooms and suites feature private balconies overlooking the streets of the city.

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square

Situated in the heart of central London, close to Marylebone’s independent boutiques and the shopping districts of Oxford Street and Regent Street. Offering spacious living areas and views over the London skyline, to contemporary yet cosy rooms. Each bedroom takes its concept from the traditional English garden within the adjacent Portman Square, drawing on the natural materials, textures and tranquillity of this urban oasis. Finally it also offers a comprehensive range of both traditional and cutting-edge treatments, as well as a state-of-the-art gym, Pilates studio and juice bar.

"OVERSEAS LONELINESS"

Yaprak Gürdal has been sharing her travel experiences in her blog. Now her first book has arrived on the shelves.

The successful blogger and travel writer wrote her first book during the pandemic, adding one more title to her business card.

"Overseas Loneliness" chronicles her immigration experience and shares some of the trials a nd tribulations of life in Canada over a period of 12 years. The book includes commentary on her travel across Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean Islands; sowing the seeds of world traveller which she has become today.

Although realising her dreams of being a world traveller, she felt compelled to share some of the hardships endured during her lifetime. Hearing "life has treated you well" was not completely accurate and so decided to share some of her more intimate life experiences in the book.

Yaprak has stated that the book has been written for anyone considering a move to Canada. She does not wish for anyone to immigrate to the other side of the world with unrealistic expectations just to be disappointed in the end.

With a traveller’s curiosity, she also examines her childhood more closely in an attempt to understand and heal from childhood wounds that ultimately triggered her migration to another country.

She has also announced that all proceeds from the book will be donated to causes supporting children’s education. She is focused on helping to provide a better education for as many children as possible.

The book is now on sale at various online platforms.

AIR TRAVEL IN 2021 AND BEYOND!

As we were all pleased to say good bye to 2020, the New Year begins with a very very slow recovery for the aviation industry. 2020 was the worst year in the industry’s history and it will take several years for the sector to regain the figures seen pre-pandemic.

However, this is a chance for positive change and renewal and it has allowed for airlines to adapt on every level in order to survive.

As the world slowly becomes vaccinated, there is hope that borders will open quickly and international business and tourism will be able to resume. But we should all be prepared for new measures and trends when flying in the months and years to come.

We will see the implementation of new innovations from virus-sniffing dogs at airports to new apps that will make vaccination status and test results easier for border officials to read. They will have COVID-19 information and contact-tracing from airlines. This way airline companies can build passengers safety and get flying again.

Business travel is one of the main areas airlines need to get back into the air. Better business class perks are expected like more spacious and private seats, fare classes with added perks, and better loyalty programmes are areas where airlines can gain and win back business travellers.

With the vaccine already being administered across the globe, airlines are confident that this will encourage passengers to get back to flying. Although not compulsory to have, many airlines are only allowing inoculated passengers on-board to reduce the risk.

As we saw just before the pandemic, the aircraft being used was changing and now this will happen with greater speed. No longer are jumbos and double decker aircraft in demand; airlines are looking towards more efficient jets and heading into hybrid operations and new wing designs, but without losing internal space. Smaller planes will be more comfy with wider seats, larger dimmable windows and more spacious overhead lockers.

New destinations; the pandemic saw a large number of special flights to return ex-pats to their native homes. These demographics have given the airline sector an insight into the top routes and a stable sector of passengers which will frequently be making the journey from where the work/live back to their home nation.

With the chaos of cancelled flights as the pandemic progressed, passengers were given more flexibility on how to proceed with their bookings. Hopefully this will be a new norm with change and cancellation fees becoming unnecessary. We may also see changes to the fees on seat selection or baggage fees, which were becoming so complicated and tedious for passengers to navigate.

As a temporary measure, medical care has been available at most international airports, in part to administer Covid tests before flights depart or for arriving passengers. These are expected to stay. In the past, when travelling to various part of the world, you needed to take certain vaccinations and medications before travel, these kinds of services will now be available as a normal service at the airport. It will be the start of a new industry of travel health and wellness.

RUSSIA CHALLANGING AIRBUS

Russia has flown its domestic-made new passenger airliner which it hopes to challenge rival maker Airbus.

The medium-range MC-21 plane took off from Siberia using Russian-built PD-14 turbo-fan engines.

The MC-21 is built by Irkut Corporation, part of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), and the engines are built by United Engine Corporation, all of which are majority owned by Rostec, Russia’s state aerospace and Defence Company.

The Soviet Union was once well known for its passenger aircraft, but after the fall of communism, the fleets were retired and Boeing and Airbus aircraft replaced them.

CHINESE CABIN CREW ADVISED TO WEAR NAPPY TO AVOID VISITING THE TOILET ON FLIGHTS

The incredible news given to China airline crews from the Civil Aviation Administration China (CAAC) is for them to wear disposable diapers/nappy’s while on board to avoid using the toilets and therefore reducing the risk of catching Covid-19!

This is in case you thought the prospect of sitting with strangers in a metal tube with circulating filtered air was any less of a risk!

With aviation being one of the worst hit sectors by coronavirus, seeing dramatic drops in demand, flights, and with thousands of job losses, it is no surprise that extreme and bizarre measures are being considered.

The recommendation to use nappies and avoid in-flight bathrooms altogether applies on flights to and from countries with infection rates exceeding 500 cases per million people.

China has seen a huge rebound in its economy since the end of its lockdown many months ago and domestic and regional flights are back to pre-health crises levels.

HEATHROW GO AHEAD FOR 3RD RUNWAY

After years of talks, arguments, discussions, and court cases, London’s busiest airport has finally got the full go ahead to take the next step and build a 3rd runway. It will now submit planning permission for the project.

A Heathrow Spokesperson said “This is the right result for the country, which will allow Global Britain to become a reality. Only by expanding the UK’s hub airport can we connect all of Britain to all of the growing markets of the world, helping to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in every nation and region of our country. Demand for aviation will recover from Covid, and the additional capacity at an expanded Heathrow will allow Britain as a sovereign nation to compete for trade and win against our rivals in France and Germany. Heathrow has already committed to net zero and this ruling recognises the robust planning process that will require us to prove expansion is compliant with the UK’s climate change obligations, including the Paris Climate Agreement, before construction can begin.

The Government has made decarbonising aviation a central part of its green growth agenda, through wider use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel as well as new technology. As passenger numbers recover, our immediate focus will be to continue to ensure their safety and to maintain our service levels while we consult with investors, government, airline customers and regulators on our next steps.”

AMERICAN AIRLINES COMPLETES FIRST U.S. 737 MAX FLIGHT

The renewed Boeing 737 Max has returned to the skies in the USA after being banned from flying followed fatal air crashes in recent years. Boeing has reassured the aviation industry and the global public that the plane is safe to fly.

LAST BRITISH AIRWAYS 747 ARRIVES IN NEW HOME IN WALES

The very last British Airways iconic 747 (‘Queen of the Skies’) made its final journey from Cardiff Airport to its new home at eCube Solutions in the Vale of Glamorgan in South Wales, where it will be preserved to inspire future generations.

Zoox with its electric, fully driverless vehicle has been designed for hailing a ride like a taxi. It’s a ‘carriage-style’ car, means up to 4 passengers face each other and there’s no space for a driver or passenger seat, as there is no need for a steering wheel.

Zoox may fit into Amazon’s logistics network, by making delivery cheaper and faster than traditional methods. The robotaxi has bidirectional driving capabilities and 4-wheel steering, which allows it to change directions without the need to reverse and navigate in compact spaces. It can travel up to 75 miles per hour and can run up to 16 hours on a single charge. It also has an airbag system on all four seats. Passengers will be able to control music, air conditioning, or see their route and ETA.

Zoox is testing the vehicle in 3 cities; Las Vegas, Nevada; Foster City, California; and San Francisco, California.

It also plans to launch an app-based ridesharing service with this target markets will be San Francisco and Las Vegas.

WIZZ AIR ABU DHABI TAKES OFF – ATHENS, GREECE IS 1st DESTINATION

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the newest national airline of the UAE is to fly to Athens, Greece for its inaugural destination on 15 January 2021. It will also fly from Abu Dhabi to Thessaloniki from 4 February 2021.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi route network includes Alexandria, Kutaisi, Larnaca, Odesa and Yerevan. These flights will begin once each destination joins the ‘green countries’ list. Further destinations will be launched as the airline adds to its Abu Dhabi-based fleet. With a fleet composed of brand new Airbus A321neo aircraft, the airline will have the lowest environmental footprint among its competitors in the region.

ALITALIA GETS MORE SUPPORT

The European Commission has approved UK£66 million of Italian state aid support to compensate Alitalia for further damages due to the health crisis. This is compensation for damages suffered on 19 routes due to the health crisis outbreak between 16 June and 31 October 2020. Alitalia has a fleet of over 95 planes. In 2019 it served hundreds of destinations all over the world, carrying 20 million passengers from its Rome hub and other Italian airports to many international destinations.

LIFT – THE LAUNCH OF A NEW AIRLINE!

A South Africa aviation company ‘Lift’ has launched low-cost domestic flights to the country’s 50 million inhabitants. With a fleet of 3 A320 aircraft it flies between Cape Town, Johannesburg and the wealthy coastal city of George. Despite flying two routes, Lift’s focus is on the Johannesburg-Cape Town route. Amazingly it’s the 10th or 11th busiest route in the world, which gives plenty of opportunity for the new route. Lift has 150 employees, many are aviation professionals, and its planes are operating regularly with nearly full loads.

In October 2003, the world’s only commercial supersonic aircraft made its last flight over London. Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the final Concorde to be built and the last to fly is now on display in the Aerospace Bristol museum in the UK.

Forward 20 years and the age of new supersonic passenger jets is on the near horizon.

Boom Supersonic has tested its XB-1 supersonic plane, which will be the first civilian supersonic aircraft since the Soviet Union's Tupolev TU-144 going back to 1968.

The slim body with its pointed nose is reminiscent of Concorde’s shape and will carry creating a sonic boom as it races through the skies at Mach 2.2 speed.

Tupolev TU-144

65-88 passengers, while

Concorde

NASA plans to launch its X-59 by 2022. This aircraft will allow for supersonic flight overland and thereby eliminating or minimising the supersonic boom. It will be flown above several U.S. cities to see how much the boom is heard, allowing for the data to help regulators establish new rules on commercial supersonic air travel over land.

Aerion has produced the AS2 which will be in operation by 2027. It will accommodate 8-10 passengers and is targeting the niche supersonic business travel sector. It will fly overland at Mach 1.4 speed, while over water reach Mach 2.2. Boomless Cruise™ technology will ensure a sonic boom never reaches the ground, and the ability to run completely on synthetic fuels, makes the AS2 a revolution.

The aerospace industry is at its lowest point thanks to Covid-19 with many airlines cancelling orders, retiring planes, cancelling routes and reducing vast numbers of staff across all areas of their business. The question is, how many passengers will there be for supersonic flight, if normal aviation companies are struggling now! That depends on how aviation will change post-health crisis and how quickly passengers return. The real market will be to the luxury super-rich sector, which will easily opt for supersonic flight but will also reduce the first class and business sectors from standard aircraft.

Supersonic airliners are the aircraft of dreams! There have been many designs over the years, but they have all had many drawbacks, design challenges, are noisy, have high development costs, expensive construction materials, high fuel consumption, very high emissions, and cost way more than standard aircraft. Not ideal for a sector looking to reduce its carbon footprint and become more eco-friendly.