EUROPE’s cities reset button to quality tourism

Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe

For many European cities, tourism was becoming unsustainable, resulting in problems for the city’s residents. From Amsterdam to Barcelona, cities were no longer able to cope with the endless influx of tourists. Platforms like AirBnB turned regular rents into unsustainable levels. With tourism accounting for a large percentage of GDP and employment a delicate balance was needed. But then the ‘health crisis’ hit and everything stopped. The reset button was pressed. Tourism now, in a post-covid summer, sees these popular cities with tourists, but not uncontrollable numbers. However, these destinations rely on tourism revenues to survive.

Many have now implemented new schemes and restrictive measures to ensure tourists arrive, but not in the numbers before. These cities cannot control the cost of flights, but they can target the attractions on offer to a different kind of tourist.

Spreading tourists out across the city helps with newly promoted transport routes which highlight other areas and help spread tourism revenues. Behaviour rules are in place to stop tourists from leaving rubbish or sitting on steps with take-away meals, for example. This trend will see more and more selective tourism marketing from cities and destinations in the future.

INBOUND TRAVELLERS TO CAMBODIA QUARANTINE IN 2 PHNOM PENH HOTELS

A new scheme now allows inbound travellers to Cambodia to select which hotel they spend their 14 day mandatory quarantine in; either the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence or the Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh. If they do not choose either hotel, they will be allocated to another hotel, as per the current system.

Penh International airport to its location in accordance with the existing health rules. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, passengers who have booked at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel and Residence or Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh must do the following: – Present the necessary travel documents as in the case of regular travellers, such as a valid visa, a health certificate issued by the health authority recognised by the government within 72 hours before departure and a certificate of purchase of the required health insurance for foreign travellers for the treatment of COVID-19, showing a certified copy. – Show proof of booking for a 14-day stay to the competent official.

The booking hotel must arrange transportation for passengers from Phnom

After quarantine at either hotel guests must pay the state expenses related to the quarantine. Travellers choosing other hotels wll need to pay a UK£1,458 deposit to cover costs on quarantine.

GREAT BRITAIN’S JOURNEY TO SPACE TOURISM

Following the successful journey into space by British businessman Richard Branson (owner of Virgin Atlantic) in the Virgin Galactic passenger rocket, space tourism is a step closer. The Virgin Galactic reached 88kms above the Earth's surface and lasted an hour.

The global space race for commercial tourist space travel has been hotting up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos rocket ‘New Shepard’ which aims to take passengers 100kms above the earth surface. The SpaceX already regularly travels to space with supplies for the International Space Station.

The 3-4 day voyage on the Genting Dream sails out to sea past the Lei Yue Mun and Tathong channels, then into international waters and then returns.

Unlike any normal cruise, this has no ports of call! This is one of many ‘health measures’ to keep any coronavirus outbreaks to a minimum.

All passengers and crew must be fully vaccinated and tested for the virus before departure, with face masks required at all times on board the ship, apart from when dining and in the pool.

The ship has its own contact tracing system that requires passengers to carry a tracking device wherever they go! They system will notify anyone within 1.5m of an infected person for over 15 minutes, thereby encouraging social distancing.

Many cruise ships were hit badly from the virus due to the air circulation systems. The rooms on the Genting Dream, including cabins, each have independent ventilation systems that provide 100% fresh air. Finally, the ship operates at 50% passenger capacity.

THE NEW PULLMAN PARIS MONTPARNASSE

The Pullman Montparnasse is now open again after a 4 year renovation. It is now the new flagship hotel of the Pullman brand.

The 32-floor hotel contains 957 bedrooms, and 3 floors dedicated to professional events. Thanks to its ideal location on the Left bank there is easy access to the main sites and transport of the city. 55 meeting rooms are on offer as well as a 740m2 ballroom with a 7m high ceiling that can accommodate up to 726 guests. 19 rooms can also be adapted for conference room use.

This new generation conference center of 1,500m², spread over 3 floors, welcomes your gala dinners, seminars and executive committees in a unique atmosphere. It is highlighted by 800m² of private green terraces.

The Skybar, now the highest open-air rooftop in Paris (115m), is ideal for an afterwork with colleagues to sip signature cocktails and admire the 360° view of Paris. The rooftop can be made exclusive under certain conditions for up to 150 people for cocktail parties.

The 5 restaurants and bars include an Italian restaurant offering a delicious aperitivo, and ‘Umami Burger’, a casual place with a subtle mix of American and Asian dishes.

REBRANDED CHINA TRAVEL OUTBOUND is now ‘GUANXI’.

Guanxi (pronounced gwan-she) in Chinese means personal trust like that between 2 business people wanting to create a strong relationship.

Helena Beard, Founder and Managing Director of Guanxi, said “Good guanxi is at the heart of our work. It’s the reason our Chinese media, trade and industry networks are so strong, and it’s why our UK and Beijing teams work so well together. Most importantly, it’s how we build great relationships with our clients and help them grow their business from China.”

Since China Travel Outbound was established as a travel specialist in 2013, the agency has grown to include clients in retail, education and hospitality in the UK, Europe, Middle East, North America and Asia. Services have expanded beyond PR and representation, to include Chinese social media and a global Market Research division.

“During the pandemic, we have developed a specialist in the Chinese student market, strengthening relationships with UK universities and student influencers, and we have also become media owners with in-house Chinese social media accounts focusing on travel and tourism. The name China Travel Outbound no longer accurately reflects the scale and scope of the work we do. The new name, Guanxi, will support our ambitions for further growth and diversification.”